Journal: December 25, 2010

December 25, 2010

Dear Friends,

As I write this journal entry on Christmas morning, I reflect on thd Scripture “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken way; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). As a prisoner for Christ, I see that it is God’s hand that gave me my family, children, and all that I had in freedom, but it is also His hand that has taken away these things in His wisdom and for His purposes. Though I sit in a cell, separated from family and friends and facing a day without any access to the phone, a shower, the yard where I could fellowship with brothers in Christ, I still am praising the Lord for His great salvation He has given me in His Son and all of the blessings He has poured out on me both in the past and in the present. I thank Him for the Bible education He gave me through Dallas Theological Seminary, allowing me to serve Him here in prison more effectively. I thank Him for the wonderful memories of the years I had with my wife and children, though His hand took them away. I thank Him for my brother Don and all my faithful friend at Grace Church including my Pastor, John MacArthur. All these He has not taken away. There are loving brothers and sisters in Christ in other states and countries whom He has given to me as special gifts, and I am thankful. I am grateful for the joy He puts in my heart despite severe trials, and this joy He doesn’t take away.

We must remember, dear friends, that whenever the Lord takes away, He will also give. Job received wisdom, insight, refining, comfort, a deeper understanding of God, and twice what he had including children. In my case, I humbly offer the following:

He took my freedom, but gave me a ministry to inmates whom I could otherwise never reach.

He took a life of busy activities, but gave me more time with Him, to dig into the riches of His Word and to gaze upon His beauty.

He took my children, but not my memories of them nor my prayers for them.

He took my comforts, to give me a refiner’s hot fire.

He took my wife, but gave me a broken heart so I could be more sensitive to the tragedies of others.

He took my reputation, to let me share in Christ’s sufferings and with all believers in history who have been falsely accused.

He took my happiness based on circumstances, to teach me contentment and to find my joy in Christ alone.

Finally, He will someday take me from this earthly home, but will give me a Heavenly home with no more tears, trials, losses or sorrows. Therefore, blessed be the name of the Lord!

Merry Christmas,
David

Journal: October 8, 2010

10.8.10
This morning on the year (9:00-11:30), we had our small group study in I Timothy. It was a rich study and the men read their word studies they did for homework. Friday evening I substituted for the brother who was supposed to preach, and I preached on Col 1:10-14. I am always grateful for the opportunities the Lord gives me.

Journal: October 7, 2010

10.7.10
This morning I arose at 5:20am to spend time with the Lord in His Word and prayer. Our breakfast was disposable but I had coffee. Today, Lord willing, I shall get much done in reading (Bible, Mueller, Culver, MacArthur), letter writing, prayer (always for my dear children), and perhaps get to go outside in the afternoon because the weather is so nice—cool and cloudy.

Journal: October 6, 2010

10.6.10

I enjoyed a wonderful morning walk outside while working on my memory verses. This quarter I am working on 12 verses with the topic of suffering. In the afternoon I was able to write four letters and begin preparing for my I Timothy class I shall teach Friday morning. Joseph preached in the evening on spiritual fruit vs. a barren fig tree. It was a powerful message and very convicting. I spent the evening hours (8-11) finishing my expositional work on I Timothy. Before going to sleep, I read out of Pilgrim’s Progress.

Letter: October 5, 2010

October 5, 2010

Dear Friends,

Forgive me for not writing for awhile. I have been so busy I have had barely time to write this journal and to write the many letters which I need to. Also I must share with you some very sad news. A godly man from Grace Church, Jerry Dandurand, went to be with the Lord. He was a friend of mine and the father of my faithful secretary, Jenny. Please pray for the Dandurand family.
There is a verse in Ephesians (3:20) that says “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within me.” This is what God is now doing here at Corcoran prison. Since we started meeting on the yard in the evenings each night of the week, and preaching sound doctrine, not trying to put on a “show” but offering solid spiritual food to those who are hungry for God’s Word, He has blessed this ministry greatly. The men who come are hungry for the Word. We sing a little but most of the time is preaching. We have a consistent 23 men who attend, most saved and wanting to grow. Tonight we had 35 and the other night we had the Lord’s’ Table, there were about 30. It is God working in their hearts because all we have to offer is the Word. During the week in the day and on the weekends, we have small group Bible studies on the yard where the men study a book of the Bible in-depth. I am teaching I Timothy, while another is teaching James and another Acts. The men are digging deep into the Word, doing word studies, papers on theology and making observations on each chapter. I can tell they are excited about the treasures they themselves are finding their studies. They are also growing in their spiritual life.

The group of speakers (nine of us) meet once a week for training. Brother Joseph and I are helping these men prepare their sermons and go over different aspects of leadership. We are using John MacArthur’s book The Book on Leadership. Many of these men will go to other prisons and have ministries there. So Corcoran is sort of a training center. Brother Joseph’s Spanish flock is growing too. They hear two sermons every day and they are hungry for them. Many of these Spanish brothers will someday be released back to their home countries and towns and will take the Gospel to perhaps a town where there has not been a Gospel witness. They are in training, too.

In other news, our Christian softball team lost most of our games but we had fun and maintained a good testimony. I had a nice visit with the Altmans and Jones’ who were very gracious to spend their day with me, Seth, and Tom. Our prison fellowship continues to pray for Pastor Goetzen’s ministry and family in Germany. They had a great summer of ministry and we praise the Lord with them. We have also been praying for sister Simone’s exams. Please pray for the health needs of Deanna, Myriam, and Cheryl. I continue to teach the Word, Greek, Hebrew, and leadership, along with preaching and discipling. I’m trying to find time to work on my book on suffering, and write a ton of letters to folks who write. Keeping busy helps me not to dwell on my trials and sorrows—missing my family, kids, and friends. I am amazed at all God is doing here for His glory. I hope this updates you; I will try to be more diligent in writing. May the Lord bless you.

Journal: August 17, 2010

I prepared all morning to preach in the afternoon Chapel. However it was not opened because the Muslim chaplain who usually opens it for the Protestants did not come. So I was able to preach on the yard to both the Spanish brothers and the English brothers. My theme was “Radical Discipleship.” My goal is to encourage us all to greater commitment to Christ. The heat was very hot (103 F) and in the direct sun it was almost 115 F. But the Lord brought a nice breeze and sustained us all. Then brother Frank preached for about an hour on the security of our salvation. We were very enriched with the Word.

In the last day, I have been planning to offer and teach a class on leadership to some of the men I think have potential. We would use John MacArthur’s book, The Book on Leadership. I would also require the men to read a volume on Christian theology because nay leader must understand theology and be able to defend the truth. I will hold a teacher’s meeting soon and tell them about the class. I know the Lord would greatly use this book in these men’s lives. Some will parole and some will transfer to other prisons and be used b the Lord there.

We distributed prayer cards to pray for sister Simone’s exams in Germany which will last about an entire month. There are ten of us praying of her. Also we have been praying for the Goetzen’s summer ministries and have been getting back information that the Lord has been blessing it. It is exciting when God answers prayer.

Journal: July 28-August 2

Friends,

The days mentioned above have been quiet spiritually since our activities (Bible studies, chapel, and yard devotions) have been curtailed due to shortage of staff. This stops the feeding of the Flock to some extent. It would be sad if this continues, not to mention restrictiveness and discomfort of being locked down so much. Please pray the prison system and state is relieved of its budget problems.

I received a refreshing letter from sister Simone in Germany, reporting on how the Lord is working there. Despite persecution by the Catholic Church, Pastor Goetzen’s church received 30 sign-ups for their summer children’s camp. This is the largest number for them and all because the Lord used the newspaper and persecution to bring this true church to people’s notice. Pray many would come to Christ through this ministry.

Yesterday (Sunday) we were locked down all day and evening. I was able to spend about five hours in the Word preparing a one-page devotion on an aspect of suffering which I shall include in my book. It was on the trial of abandonment and being forsaken. The text was from Psalm 31:11 and I included 13 more Scripture references. It takes a lot of labor to prepare one devotional. First the Lord seems to bring the text to mind as I read. Then, I pray asking Him for insight on its meaning and how to bring out its message. I try to empathize with one who might be going through this type of trial (which is not too difficult since having lost my family, freedom, job, possessions and more). Then I include comfort, Bible illustrations, and encouragement. Hopefully all this will comfort a downtrodden saint and help them place their thoughts and perspective on the Lord and off their circumstances.

Today we were allowed outside and I was able to practice the violin for several hours. The Lord continues to work with me in many areas and I am grateful. By areas I mean: patience and contentment in whatever He allows to happen that day; thankfulness, even for the small trials of disappointment and discouragement; and in being satisfied in Him alone, His presence and fellowship, and not in accomplishing tasks and being busy throughout the day. As the Psalmist said, “And besides You, I desire nothing on earth” (Ps 73:25).

Lord willing, I will be able to preach in three chapels this month. There are several unbelievers the Lord has brought to my acquaintance and I want to share the Gospel with them. Please pray for Hong and his friend, George, and several others.

The Lord has been faithful in every way in my prison trial. Though there have been many hardships, He has always provided and protected. His grace has always been sufficient. He has always been near, real, comforting, patient and most kind. May He be praised!

May the Lord richly bless you, dear friends.

Journal: July 20, 2010

We are locked down today so I constructed a new daily schedule so I will use my time better. Pray I stick to the schedule because I know God will be more pleased with it.

I was able to see the eye doctor and my eyes are fine, for which I am thankful to the Lord.

Journal: July 19, 2010

Friends, the Lord blessed me with two days of violin practice because the Rabbi assigned to our yard graciously allowed me to practice in the Chapel when he comes. I am preparing for a concert, possibly in August called “Bach to Beatles,” including other classical composers. Of course, you know what Beethoven is doing now….he’s “decomposing.” :-)

You may think it a small thing to play an instrument, but to do so in prison ins a major blessing from the Lord because it is uncommon (except for guitars). When I relate to you the things I get to do (visits, violin, preach the Word, etc.) I am really trying to give glory to God for His grace and blessing and mercy to me, so…to God be the glory!!

This evening, I received a nice letter from Germany, from Angela, a faithful former student who reminds me of Ruth in the Bible. She is very grown in the Lord and is concerned with bringing the Gospel to young people in different places in Europe. May the Lord bless you, Angela. She sent me some photos of a town I used to live in when my dad was stationed in Germany. Her family is also faithful to pray for my prison ministry. Pray for her family’s ministry in Oelde.

Journal: July 17, 2010

Today is Saturday and the Lord blessed me with a visit from my faithful and very kind brothers Ed, Komy, and Stephen (who had to wait in the car because of a mix-up). These men sacrificed their entire day, leaving their wives and children and responsibilities to come and spend time with me. This is truly sacrificial love the Lord spoke about in John 13:35. I remember the verse where our Lord said, “I was in prison and you visited me.” Thank you, dear friends, for your encouraging visit. Your fellowship breathes life into me and spurs me on to minister to the men here in prison. You are, as Paul said, fellow laborers with me here at Corcoran.

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.

Journal: July 9, 2010

Dear Friends,

It is very hot today but the Lord brought a nice breeze so the morning yard time was pleasant. Yesterday there was such blessing from the Lord. He allowed me to instruct some brothers in eschatology, and they were very much encouraged. In the evening, I was able to preach to a filled chapel a sermon I had spent hours preparing on the Gospel. It contained 3 points: The disease-sin; the cure—Jesus Christ; and the action—repent and believe. I interwove my own testimony with the sermon as an illustration. The room was filled with unbelievers as well as believers so this was sort of a “crusade” service. It was well-received even though I spent much time on sin contrasted with the holiness of God. The Lord blessed the evening and I pray will use it to convict many and turn to Christ. I practiced pitching today in preparation for our game on Sunday. Sad news: brother Tim P. is leaving for another prison Tuesday. I may never see him again until Heaven. Such is prison and this trial of my refinement. -- DG

Journal: July 5, 2010

This was a very blessed day. The Lord opened our doors to the yard and I was able to go to the chapel and practice the violin all day while the Rabbi was meeting with his men. I met with a Christian brother, David S., and we had great fellowship over the Word. We gave thanks to God for how He is using the affliction of prison in both of our lives to help us grow into a deeper relationship with the Lord and to learn lessons we never could have. Later this evening, he gave an excellent devotion on the yard to about 17 hungry believers.

This evening I have prepared a Bible study I shall give tomorrow morning, Lord willing, to several men greatly desirous to learn more about eschatology and our Lord’s return. I am also scheduled to preach tomorrow in chapel. I will preach on 2 Cor. 12:9 and what the condition of the heart must be in order to receive God’s all sufficient grace in trials. I will also have to prepare Thursday’s message for the night chapel which is filled with unbelievers who are searching for truth. I will preach the Gospel and include my own testimony. It is such an honor for me to be able to be used of the Lord. I pray I would be faithful to the task. I was also blessed today with a package fro my faithful and loving brother, Don.

We also, this evening, prayed for some sisters in Christ who are in a Tijuana jail. We are sending them stationary (from Deanna and Charlene) and some stamps. These sisters have far less than we do in our U.S. prison. Please pray for them. The Lord bless you.

Journal: July 4, 2010

Today, we were allowed outside and I was very grateful to the Lord. There was no chapel today so I met with the brothers to study some Greek, and later we had a nice time of prayer where we prayed for all our families. We shared how we used to spend the Fourth when in freedom. It brought back wonderful memories of taking my family to see fireworks and having backyard bar-b-ques. I was able to practice the violin this evening, working on the Bach Ciaconne. Our dinner consisted of a hotdog and a hamburger with some salad and cake. There was an All-Star softball game and I was selected to pitch but I wanted to help the guys with their Greek. WE will play again next week. I was able to counsel a Christian man who has been very discouraged over his life-sentence. The Lord gave me wisdom. One of my former students I translating my devotions (book) into German and Pastor Joseph (inmate) is translating it into Spanish.

Tonight I will try to see the Boston Pops on TV. I was greatly encouraged by reading George Muller’s autobiography, a commentary on Matthew by Ironside, and a book by John MacArthur called The Second Coming. Of course, I meet with the Lord in the Psalms. May the Lord bless you all.

Journal: July 1, 2010

Today was a very difficult day because we were locked down all day. WE had hoped to be out by 1 PM, but it did not happen. We had no showers either. I am grateful for the swamp cooling and the small fan I have. The Lord is good.

Because the day brought so much frustration and discouragement, I felt motivated to write another devotional on suffering for my book. I took as my text Genesis 37:24, 28 and 39:20 “and they took him and threw him into the pit…and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites…and put him into the jail.” These phrases describe suffering of Joseph, cruelly treated by his wicked brothers and Potiphar’s wife. One moment he was walking in freedom and the next he was stripped of all he owned and robbed of his father, his freedom, and his future. He had no more control of his own life but was at the mercy of others. He was bound in chains (Ps. 105:18). He could cry out or fret and it would do no good. He was brought to the point where he had to trust God—for everything. This is actually a blessed place to be to be but it is very painful (to the flesh) to get there. The Scripture says he was refined in his chains. I am grateful to the Lord that He, from time to time, gives me tastes of this kind of suffering, for my much needed spiritual growth.

Journal: June 30, 2010

Today the Lord gave me the opportunity to help three believers understand more about eschatology. We covered the Rapture, the Tribulation, the Millennium and the eternal state. I was so thankful that I could serve these men and the Lord. We shall try to meet again Friday. It took the whole yard time. Usually I have time to walk and pray for my family: brother, kids and their mother. This afternoon they canceled all program because they had to search all the cells on the yard. Prison is so unpredictable. Tonight I had planned to preach on 2 Cor. 12:9 but we were locked down this evening as well.

I forgot to mention the 27th (Sunday). The power company had to shut off all area power for 10 hours which eliminated our air and fans. It was over 100 degrees and our cells were hot and stuffy and nearly asphyxiating. I prayed for grace to endure it and it also gave me a taste of what our Christian brothers and sisters suffer in prisons in under-developed countries. May the Lord comfort them and give them relief in their trials.

May the Lord bless you all.

Journal: June 29, 2010

We started a Bible devotional time on the yard each evening from 7 PM to 7:45 PM when we have to go inside. WE did this in order to offer solid spiritual “food” to the flock. Our turnout has been very good. The first speaker brought a message on mortifying sin. The next night the topic was prayer. Then I spoke on holiness of the heart and its necessity for revival. Las night a brother preached on Biblical love. Today I completed my third devotional for my book on suffering. It takes several hours to write just one page. It was on 2 Cor. 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you.” Now that I am finished with the ThD, I can concentrate on this book.

Journal: June 28, 2010

A few days ago I completed all my work on my doctor of theology degree and I thank the Lord for all His help and grace. It has been a long and difficult road. I truly believe I learned a lot and I hope I am more useful to the Lord if He should continue to use me for His kingdom. Today I was able to practice the violin a long time and prepare for my next recital which will be entitled a “Bach to Beatles” concert. I am thankful to the Rabbi for allowing me to practice.

Journal: June 12, 2010

Saturday

I have been undergoing some persecution for which I thank God. He commands us to “thank God in all circumstances” (I Thess. 5:18) and to give thanks for everything (Eph. 5:20). Though it is painful, I know I am blessed (Matt. 5:11-12). My Christian brothers came along side and defended me (verbally).

Thursday night chapel was a wonderful night of praise music and being able to reach out to men who are not saved. I am honored to be among these men, so steeped in sin and without hope, so that I might be just a little bit of light to them through Christ in me. This morning, the chaplain let me preach, so I chose Matthew 10:37-39, exhorting and pleading the men to surrender their loyalty, will, and life to Christ. There are those there who have made only a profession of faith, but need to surrender all. I was able to play the violin while a man sang “I Surrender All” in a very worshipful way. It was a blessed morning.

This afternoon, our Christian baseball team, “Redeemed Team,” lost our first game. I pitched, and poorly at that. Our attitudes were good and the other team, who were constantly heckling us, saw that. We lost, but are still redeemed; they won, but are lost. I believe we did play for the glory of God.

This evening, I and two brothers in Christ, had such sweet fellowship, we forgot we were in prison. WE talked of many Scriptures and had a good time in prayer at the end. Today was a blessed and wonderful day in Christ. God is doing wonderful things here in my life and the lives of these men who know Christ. Most all are like m, separated from their families, their children, wives, and parents. We always pray God’s protection and provision for our dear families. The men pray for my children and their mother.

Tomorrow, Lord willing, I will teach the advanced Greek class on the yard, then practice the violin in the afternoon and evening. It is a joy to see these men’s progress in Biblical Greek and how they can now open up the Greek New Testament and read a good deal of some of the passages.

Oh yes, I forgot about Rick, a younger brother hungry for the Word. He asked me to teach him how to study the Bible, so we sat on the yard and I started him in basic Bible study. He was very excited after the session! God is very kind to use a wretch like me.

May the Lord bless you all.

We learned today that a daughter (age 11) of one of the inmates in our block died recently of a lingering illness. He is very distraught and he is not a believer. Please pray for his comfort and salvation. His initials are TC. We are trying to minister to him as best we can.

Journal: June 7, 2010

Today was a wonderful day in the Lord. He allowed me to rehearse with the guitarist in preparation for our concert. In prison, any opportunity to do something construction like rehearse, go to Chapel, do a Bible study, is a blessing because everything can shut down at a moment’s notice. Yesterday we were sitting at a table on the yard at our Greek class when, suddenly, the loudspeaker roared, “Get down!” We dropped to our stomachs, I on the dirt, but the others flew to the nearby grass. There we all were, 800 men on our bellies. Someone in one of the building shad had a medical problem. We were hoping it wouldn’t be due to a stabbing or something, because then we would all have to lock up, perhaps for a long time. Thankfully, it was just an individual medical problem.

I enjoyed walking on the yard with my friend from 4-block who is a growing Christian. We had a rich discussion over the Word.

The Lord blessed us today with some violin sheet music from a faithful man of God—David Johns. He also set a marvelous book. Thank you, David. Also, my pastor-friend in Idaho sent George Muller’s autobiography (about 800 pages). I know I will be greatly inspired by this man. He is the man of faith and prayer. He had a profound influence on my wife and I when we were going through seminary and adopted children—his example of faith was wonderful.

Tonight I will work on my papers for my ThD. As always, praying for my dear children, friends, and family.