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 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 4, 2010

Brother Seth brought a fine message on the necessity of teaching sound doctrine by which we were all edified. There is much poor doctrine preached here by untaught and unstable people who twist the Scriptures (II Peter 3:16).

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