Respect For Life

January 17, 2010

Respect For Life

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READ: Psalm 139:13-16

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. —Psalm 139:14

In Psalm 139, David describes God as fashioning his tiny body together in the darkness of his mother’s womb. God loved David before he ever existed.

God designed the person David was to be, and He brought that person into being according to His predetermined plan. In this psalm, David used the intriguing metaphor of a journal in which God first wrote His plan and then brought that plan into fruition through His handiwork in the womb: “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written” (v.16).

Put another way, David was shaped by his heavenly Father’s love into a unique creation. He came from the inventive heart and hand of God. What was true of David is true of you. You are special—along with everyone else in the world.

This being true, we must be pro-life in the purest sense of the word. We are to respect and cherish all human life: the born and those still in the womb; winsome children and weary seniors; the wealthy executive and the financially destitute. All persons are unique productions of our Creator’s genius. With David, let’s exclaim: “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (139:14). — David H. Roper

By God’s wise designing
We are wonderfully made,
Every part essential
And in perfect balance laid. —Anon.
All life is created by God and bears His autograph.

All life is created by God and bears His autograph.

Angels We Have Heard on High

Volunteers made their way to Cook County Jail to spend time with the men for a Christmas celebration. Please check out the article on Willow’s Compassion and Justice blog for the whole story.
http://wccc.blogs.com/compassion_and_justice/

I was in Prison and You Visited Me

On Thanksgiving I had the privilege to attend Cook County Jail to celebrate Thanksgiving with several hundred inmates. To hear more, please check out the blog entry on Willow Creeks Compassion and Justice blog at,

http://wccc.blogs.com/compassion_and_justice/

Lets Say Thanks to Our Troops

XEROX IS DOING SOMETHING COOL

If you go to this web site, http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home1280.html you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services.

How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!!

It is FREE and it only takes a second.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these?

Whether you are for or against the war, our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them.

This takes just 10 seconds and it's a wonderful way to say thank you.

Please take the time and please take the time to pass it on for others to do. We can never say enough thank you's.

Thanks for taking to time to support our military!

http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home1280.html

Feeding the 600

Greetings Everyone!

Who are you inviting to your Thanksgiving table this season? Would you set a plate for those the world has forgotten? Have you ever thought about the Lord’s command to visit the prisoner?

This is your unique opportunity to show love to the incarcerated men of Division 14 @ Cook County Jail. For the 2^nd year in a row, the Willow Creek team has been called on to serve these men a traditional Thanksgiving meal on Thanksgiving Day complete with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and a nice cup of coffee. Without your gift of compassion, these men would receive the same jail diet.

The challenge: Feeding the 600

1. 20 men and women are needed to serve this Thanksgiving meal
• Must be 18 years old and older
• Location: 31st Street & California Ave.
• A commitment of 4 hours is required on Thanksgiving day from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
• Needs to register with Gaius Cosman no later than Monday November 16^th.
• Email name, driver’s license number, birth day and address to gcosman@foxvalley.net

2. $5,339 needs to be raised to cover the meal

· $8.89 will purchase one Thanksgiving meal

· All gifts are tax deductible

· Checks payable to Willow Creek Church – Cook County Jail meals

· Must be be collected by a CCJ team member

Last year the team was challenged to bring such a meal to the Division and the result was simply amazing. By God’s grace and providence, the Willow Creek team has grown in favor with God and the jail officials.

In 2009 we were permitted to double our team’s size and allowed to look for innovative ways to deliver the Gospel to the Glory of God. Praise the Lord!

From Thanksgiving 2008

"Giving all honor and glory to God through Christ Jesus! … we feel blessed that you wonderful people took time out of your holiday to prepare and bring us such an inspirational message and a delightful meal. Your thoughts and prayers are with those who are less fortunate to achieve and receive such blessings on that special day. We are also thankful and grateful to Willow Creek volunteers. Your selfless act of kindness will never be forgotten.”

“We the men who live here at Cook County Correctional Division 14, building 4, 2^nd floor would like to thank God in the name of Jesus. We give Him our praise because of your time, money and efforts shown in love to us. Your gift really helped us have a happy and peaceful Thanksgiving which set a joyous tone for us all day long. God’s love was expressed through you all and we thank you.”

"Gracias porla comida atentamente." - Oscar G.

"Serdeczne Bog Zaplead!!!aqnot; from Polish inmates "God bless"

Please consider taking part in this effort by participating, giving and praying and this Thanksgiving Day you will have one more reason to be grateful!

- Gaius Cosman

gcosman@foxvalley.net

312-545-8676

The House That Grace Built

The House That Grace Built
~Transitional Living for Women Coming Out of Incarceration ~

Each year the Lake County Jail releases approximately 1,080 women back into our community. A random re-entry survey of 100 women found that 76 women were identified as needing housing. Of that 76, 34 women (45%) were classified as homeless. 59% do not have a high school diploma. Without intervention many of these ladies will return to the street economy drugs and prostitution to survive.

The House That Grace Built provides intervention for these women at the critical time of being released from jail and provides them with options that include a safe place to live, job and office skills training, personal and spiritual growth and development, parenting skills, financial management and coping skills that will allow them to become self-sufficient and independent of the welfare system.

Please click on the link to their website to learn more. http://www.thehousethatgracebuilt.com/

Rebekah's House

Rebekah's House is a God-inspired ministry, offering hope, healing and humanity to women in recovery from alcohol and substance abuse. Our two-part Christian program offers women in recovery:

• Recovery home offering, affordable, alternative housing
• Outreach to obtain necessary items until they are self-sufficient.

St. Charles youth prison needs tutors

By Josh Stockinger | Daily Herald Staff

Published: 10/13/2009 12:35 PM

Organizers of a literacy program at the Illinois Youth Center in St. Charles are looking for volunteers to tutor young prisoners.

Currently, about 20 people are needed to spend at least an hour a week tutoring and mentoring male inmates, according to the nonprofit Literacy Volunteers of Illinois.

Dorothy Miaso, executive director of the literacy group, said the need is much greater at the St. Charles facility on Route 38 than it is at other juvenile prisons.

At the Illinois Youth Center for girls in Warrenville, which has a population less than one-fourth the size of the St. Charles facility, Miaso said there's "an excess of interested volunteers and (we) are having to turn people away.

"It is bittersweet that volunteers assist many juvenile learners, but find difficulties tutoring all who need help," she said, attributing the problem to daytime scheduling conflicts with volunteers.

The Illinois Youth Center in St. Charles is the state's largest juvenile detention center, with an all-male population of 318. The average age of an inmate at the medium-security facility is 16, according to its Web site.

Theo Stripling, a spokesman for Literacy Volunteers Illinois, said tutors are asked to pledge a minimum of one hour a week and must possess basic math and reading skills.

Volunteers undergo a general interview and background check before they are matched with a student from the school on campus. Tutoring usually takes place in the library or in a classroom.

Stripling said the program is popular among retired teachers and college students but does not require experience in any particular field. The key, he said, is consistency.

"We find tutoring to be most effective when someone has the same tutor for a length of times - it helps both ends, making it easier for the volunteer and also the student," Stripling said. "The help these students need, a lot of it is basic English, basic math. Some of these students are falling around sixth-grade level if not below."

Tutoring takes place during school hours, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. For more information, call (312) 857-1582 or visit lvillinois.org.

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=328570

SHERIDAN CORRETIONAL CENTER PRAYER REQUEST FOR 09/25/2009 and 10/02/09

Sheridan Correctional Center Prayer Requests for 09/25/2009 & 10/02/09

Prayer Request for September 25, 2009
*************************************

Michael D: Please will you pray for an officer here in this prison. He is seeking god Pray that our Lord Jesus Christ will come to him and touch his heart. He has a good heart and I personally care a lot for him, because he is a good person and God showed me how – Thank you and God bless

Lawrence: Pray that I will totally and completely dedicate my life to the Lord Jesus Christ

Nathan: I would like you to pray that the flood gates of heaven would be open here for my peers in disciples for Christ and myself. That God would bless us all with wisdom as he had done for Solomon. I also ask as I continue on this journey that God would lead me in a lasting, trusting and obedient life with Him. I pray that he blesses my family, friends and even my enemies and you that is standing in the gap for a sinner like me.

James: I need you to pray for me that I stop focusing on the worldly things. I find myself focused on possessions and things of this world.

Sean: Restoration with my two daughters. To become the son God wants me to be to my parents, and a brother to my sister. That God’s will be at the head of my life.

Sam: Could you please pray for me that I become more bolder with the Word of God. Pray for me that that I might study the Word of God more and pray for me to start enjoying life and be able to love and accept love and pray for me that I get my life together and that I might stay strong in the word Thank you very much.

Quincy: Hello my name is Quincy and I am new in Christ and I would like for you to pray for me and my children. I haven’t seen my children or heard from my children in a while. I pray that I here from my family and children. Thank you and God bless you all.

Robert: Pray please that the Lord will keep everyone in Sheridan CC from harm and that the Lord would bless and keep all of our families and yours.


Prayer Request for October 2, 2009
**********************************

Quincy: I pray that whoever read this prayer request pray for my children, that our Father who in heaven watched over my children and my mom and my son’s mother who is also incarcerated due to her drug addiction. I pray that she find God in her life – Amen Quincy Thank you

Michael K – Please pray for my son Jahari, 13 months is his age

Lawrence: Pray that I will be sensitive to the Holy spirit in all areas of my life

Sean: That God’s will be done in my life, that I will be reunited with my two daughters and that they receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. That my parents receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. That Sheridan Correctional Center stay blessed by God that it will continue to help save lives.

Michael D: Please will you pray for all who are not Christians and do not know the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray for the ones that hate me and you also pray for me that I will continue in my faith and love for the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and my health – Thank you, God Bless

Nathan: I would like you to pray for my precious daughters, Naenita and Natalie. I haven’t seen them in three years and every day I kind of beat up on myself for being a dead beat dad!. So I pray that as David stated in Psalm 37:25 that these calamities don’t overtake them. Please pray that his divine love continue to keep them. Thank You God Bless

Sam: Dear friend I wish you would say a prayer for me that I might be stronger in my walk with God; To help me with my lying and my forgiveness for others and myself. And pray for me that I might learn to love my brothers and help me to be steadfast in the Lord.

Robert: That the Lord bless and keep watch over Scott and his family and that the Lord open up his heart and mind more clear to understand His word in the name of Jesus and thank God for whom ever it is that is praying for us. (Robert also is praying for someone to bless him with and old King James Bible, his current one is falling apart)

A personal request for me is to have more time to prepare for the class and prepare a list of post prison ministries for these men so they can begin to pursue a place of safety and Christ centered environment upon their release

Thank you

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord;

Scott Kalas

INMATE PRAYER REQUEST FROM COOK COUNTY JAIL

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners." Isaiah 61:1


NAME PRAYER REQUEST

Tony P. Please pray that God keeps my feet headed in the right way.

Rolf M. Pray for me for a safe journey.

Donald H. Pray for Natalie.

Jeremiah M. Please pray me to complete the Gateway Program and for guidance.

Victor D. Please pray for me to make it through my out-of-state case.

Joe G. Please pray that the Judge let’s me go home.

Michael V. Pray for my family and friends and for me.

Rick M. Pray that all on this list make it into God’s grace and are blessed.

Deonte H. Pray that when I go home I get a job, car, and for my family.

Scotty R. God, Please bless me and my family and friends and help me.

Alfredo M. For god’s grace, and to stay full of the Holy Spirit.

Brian W. That I keep serving Him.

Rich S. Help me to spread the Word on my floor.

Steve V My friend Candice is going through hard times. Pray for her.

Forzay W. Pray for my step daughter, please. Not doing well with this.

Keith G. to go home to my family soon, including my newborn son.
I pray that God will give me another chance!

Joe R. That I can visit Willow Creek Church!

Jesse S. Pray for my, my family, and the world at large, Amen!!!

Michael B. Pray for myself to go home with my family.

Sergio P. for a better relationship with God and my daughter.

Louis D. Pray that I go home on E.M. Daily Report program and that
God be with me when I go home and for my family!

Ruben M. Pray for all of us here in CCJ, to know my call.

Jimmy B Prayers for my family.

Keith D. Pray for my kids, family and the woman that I love, and me!

Alex C. Pray for my family and I.

Nick G. Pray for me to deal with my time here and my family.

Fabian M. Keep my family in prayer as well as my court case.

Andre C. Pray for my family and for me when I go to court.

Marlon B. Pray for my family and I and keep us in your prayers.

Marcello V. Pray for my family and my friends.

Phillip E. Pray for you that came out to worship with us and your families, also
That you return safely next week.

Cornell B. Thank you for being here and I’ll pray for you, and you pray for me, also.

Joshua P. Pray for my family, pray that I humble myself as a person and as
I go to court.

Johnathon H. Just pray.

Fred W. Pray for me to have favor in court

Ambrose F. that I go home and for my family.

Clifton H. for continued grace and mercy from my Heavenly Father..thank you!

Darryl B. Pray that I may remain in the program!

Jose’ D. Pray that God and my wife forgive me, and that she comes back.

Steve S. Pray that God touches my Judge and officials…pray for my family.

Wayne P. Pray that I stay out when I get out of jail!

Tyson B. Pray that God helps me with my walk and for my addictions.

Benjamin P. Pray for my family-that God gives them the same opportunity he gave me
To have a relationship with Him!

James R. Lord, please keep my son safe!

Frankie J. Pray for my family and my next court date.

Michael S. Pray for my family, my fiance’, and for my upcoming release.

Jeffrey J. Pray for my family and my fellow inmates.

Gregory W. Pray for my strength in the Lord and my family who are experiencing grief.

Berry B. Pray that the Lord will pour his blessings upon me.

Jonathan H. to be a more effective part in the body of Christ.

Robert G. that my mother be freed from the spirit of alcoholism.

L.C. A. this place and my house

Ronald F. that God’s Spirit keep me mindful, strong and full of courage in court. Pray that God’s Will be done full of mercy and grace. May his loving kindness and tender mercies deliver a wretch like me from my self-bondage of substance
Abuse and imprisonment. Pray he protect my parents in their old age during
My absence.