ONE LIFE MATTERS, A NEW BEGINNING

ONCE LIFE MATERS is a quick, easy read. Right from the first page you’re drawn into Marty’s world. The insight to being in the music industry in that era and all it entails is fascinating. Though it’s a biography/non-fiction, ONCE LIFE MATTERS reads like great fiction.

As I read about Marty’s journey I couldn’t help but be amazed what he survived. It’s clear that God had a bigger and better plan for Marty then he had for himself. And He wasn’t giving up on him. Marty just needed to walk through that door that was being held open for him time and time, again.

ONCE LIFE MATTERS is straightforward in how one repeatedly ignores Gods whispers, and where that road can lead. Without God we are lost souls, constantly searching for purpose and meaning in our lives.

I loved the way Marty wove in scripture relevant to what was going on in his life, hindsight that will speak to its readers.

It may have taken Marty years, as it often does many of us but he finally found his way. Not only did he find his way but he continues to walk through open doors, following Gods whispers, and sometimes shouts to do amazing work in His name.

Marty is a walking testimony that lives can be changed, and not only changed but totally turned around. A great inspirational story for those of us in the Prison Ministry, as well as for those struggling with some of the same issues Marty had.

I highly recommend this book for those in the Prison Ministry, as well as for those struggling with addictions, in prison or are far from God and feel their life is meaningless and hopeless.

ONCE LIFE MATTERS is encouraging to those struggling in life, as well as inspiring to those with loved ones far from God and caught up in their own nightmares.

Sheridan Prayer Request Friday March 5, 2010

Hello Prayer Warriors,

I had a busy weekend and apologize for lateness

We had a really good discussion this last Friday on anger. The men could and did honestly reflect on how ‘sinful’ anger has caused a lot of negative consequences in their personal lives. We also shared some good light hearted moments it was good to share some laughs with the men.

The prayer request for this week are along the same line as previous and I take that as a sign there are now any looming challenges or overwhelming trials, but rather the continuing desires of their hearts

James – My name is James and who ever receives this prayer request, please pray for me that I may continue to change from the life of crime. It’s hard but I’m making progress slowly but surely

Quincy – My name is Quincy and I would like for you to pray for me and my family that the cycle of coming to jail would end and that the Lord keep watch over me and my family

Michael – Just pray for all the people in the world and all the nation that are in deep trouble having really bad problems.

Sean – That God’s will be done in my life, that my family stay strong in God, that God continue to bless Scott and his family and that Scott will continue to have traveling mercies bringing God’s word to us here at Sheridan

This week we will discuss the ever fun topic of ‘Sex.’ Though it can be mentioned with light heartedness, sadly this gift from God between a husband and wife can be one of the most challenging sins to keep under control. Especailly with the promotion of it so heavily in our culture. Please pray for the Holy Spirit to be present in my presenting of the material and of the men’s heart in receiving it.

On a personal note, as you may know, I’ve been unemployed since November and though God has provided it be a joy to employed in some capacity again. I myself would love to pursue a vocation in prison ministry but the pay in this vocation is very low and unless we are able to sell our town home in Carol Stream that is almost out of the question barring God doing a miracle. Please pray if it is God’s will for me to pursue prison ministry as vocation at this time He bring us a buyer of the town home and open doors for emloyment in this vocation. If it is not His will that He bring me employment in the EDI field.

One additional note my brother Dwight recently became unemployed as well if you could please lift him in prayer for employment. He is also not saved a prayervrfo his salvation is paramount.

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

Scott Kalas
scott@socpm.org

Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries
www.soldiers-of-Christ.org

Connecting prison ministries and institutions to serve the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated for the Glory of Jesus Christ

U.S. Mail
Soldiers Of Christ Prison Ministries
P.O. Box 87663
Carol Stream IL, 60188-7663

An Inspiring Story

LIVE TO TELL is an amazing story.

Make sure to check out Marty's ministry, Marty Angelo Ministries, Inc.
http://www.martyangelo.com/

A Christmas Celebration at Cook County Jail

ROCKIN THE JAILHOUSE

A Christmas Celebration at Cook County Jail

As the first group of men from division fourteen filed into the room, taking their seats, I could sense God’s presents. What a treat it was to recognize several of the men from only a few weeks prior when I severed then a Thanksgiving meal.

The hour began with encouraging words from Gaius. When Chicago Willow began to sing, oh, what a blessings that was. The men were off their feet and clapping their hands. A smile spread across my face as we sung the roof off the jailhouse.

Bev gave a message about salvation and how each and everyone of us have sinned, yet Jesus came to save us. Her message was powerful; reaching many of the men as they called out, Amen’s and nodding in agreement.

Song that grabs the soul

A song from Cheryl, I HAVE TO BELIEVE was so powerful; it reached down and touched your soul. As I glanced around, there were men standing with raised hands, others with tears in their eyes. Even the three officers standing in the back of the room, arms around one another, were swaying back and forth to the powerful words Cheryl sung with tears rolling down their cheeks.

Jim then spoke to the men on how we all have made promises we haven't kept. Have had people in our life let us down. Yet Jesus is always faithful. His word is His word! At that time Jim asked the men if they’d like to ask Jesus into their heart, to step forward. One by one, man after man, gathered at the front of the room. Tears were flowing from volunteers, inmates and offices. The presence of God was truly tangible.

Back to their floor

As each man left the room in single file, one by one. They shook our hands, thanking us with a grin upon their face. Once back on their floor, each man would receive a bag of homemade cookies that were baked by volunteers.

Receive the blessing of volunteering

Every Monday night several volunteers meet at Cook County Jail for a Bible study with Division 14. As the ministry continues to grow, so does the need for volunteers. If God has put upon your heart to find out more about what goes on behind locked gates, please contact Anne Rand at, arand@willowcreek.og.

Sheridan Prayer Request Friday February 26, 2010

Looks like Robert S has decided not to return, but of the four men attending we had a good session on ‘Repentance and Restitution’



Quincy – Hey how are you doing? Fine I hope. My name is Quincy and my request is that you continue to pray for me, my family and children and that we rest in God’s love and care. I’ll do the same for you



Sean – That God’s will be done in my life, that my mother’s salvation continues in God, that my children be protected and guided by God through the Hoy Spirit in Jesus name. That my relationship with my sister be restored and blessing in Jesus name, her name is Ebonie



James – My name is James. Whoever comes in contact with this prayer, please pray for me that I may turn away from m wicked ways. Also can you pray that I grow daily in the Lord. I’m only 20 yrs old and I don’t want to wait until I get older to change.



Michael – Please pray for my cellie that he would really seek the lord and His word. Pray that the Lord help me by making me able to show the power of God to help His faith to seek? And pray for me, I have been sick pray that the Lord will make me well.



This well we will discuss ‘Anger’



On behalf of the men thanks for your prayers


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

Scott Kalas

Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries
www.soldiers-of-Christ.org

Connecting prison ministries and institutions to serve the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated for the Glory of Jesus Christ

U.S. Mail
Soldiers Of Christ Prison Ministries
P.O. Box 87663
Carol Stream IL, 60188-7663

Sheridan Prayer Request Friday Febraury 19, 2010

Praises to God as this week saw the return of Michael to the class. He was glad to be back I and him thank you for your prayers for his return and a big thank you to Laura of IDOC who worked on behalf of Michael. She also got Robert back on the list and he should be back this coming Friday



Michael – Please just pray for yourselves and others (I know Michael has some health issues please pray for him in this area)



James – My name is James whoever comes in contact with this prayer request, please pray for me. I just want to come close to God. Everything seems to look better and feel better on God’s side I want the true meaning of life.



Quincy – My name is Quincy and I would like for you to continue praying for me and my children and family that we all be safe in God’s hands I’ll pray for you as well



Sean – That God will be done in my life. That my mother be healed physically, spiritually and emotionally. That my children and I be reunited again



We talked about shame last week and all the men are really feeling the weight of their poor choices. I explained one of the hardest things to overcome in shame is forgiveness of self. Please lift all the men in prayer that they will receive from the God the strength to forgive themselves from their hearts and have healing peace.



This week’s topic is ‘The Gifts of Repentance and Restitution’ please pray that the Holy Spirit will give me the words that will build into them the joy and fruit of these gifts


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

Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries

www.soldiers-of-Christ.org
http://www.soldiers-of-christ.org/


Connecting prison ministries and institutions to serve the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated for the Glory of Jesus Christ

U.S. Mail
Soldiers Of Christ Prison Ministries
P.O. Box 87663
Carol Stream IL, 60188-7663

FREEDOM BEHIND BARS

Freedom Behind Bars

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NIV)


Kyle Hebert makes no excuses for what he did or where he is today. He freely admits that he and he alone is responsible for his sins. He doesn’t play the blaming game as so many often do.

Kyle has many accomplishments to his name since entering the gates of Angola State Penitentiary in May of 2000. As an inmate of the largest maximum security prison in the United States, he is also a 2007 graduate of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Angola Extension Campus with an associates and bachelors degree in Christian Ministry. He’s completed many classes including Anger Management and Substance Abuse. Kyle’s also a Class-A trusty and a staff writer for the prison magazine, The Angolite. Taking 10 years to achieve, a Class-A trusty, the highest level, he must avoid being disciplined or written up for an offense, and set an example for other inmates to follow.

Louisiana (Angola) State Penitentiary

Not so many years ago, Angola was the bloodiest prison in America. Now it’s considered to be the safest. Many have speculated why Angola turned around, but for anyone who has visited the prison, they leave knowing exactly what has brought about this miraculous change. And that change can be summed up in three letters: G.O.D.

When Burl Cain became the Warden of Angola State Penitentiary, he brought the word of God. He has promoted moral rehabilitation by allowing Christian ministries from all over the world to worship with the men of Angola.

Godly Father

Kyle is involved in a program, Malachi Dads. It’s a one-year program that teaches men to be godly fathers to their children. Prior to Malachi Dads, Kyle was able to meet his nine-year-old son, Matthew for the first time, through Returning Hearts, a program that unites fathers with their children.

Matthew wrote in a letter to his dad,

“Hi dad, I had a good time. I can’t wait til next year. I didn’t want to say goodbye. I love you with all my heart and Jesus does too. John 3:16 says, God so loved the word that he gave his one and only son for who ever believes in Him shall not parish but have eternal life. Bye dad, love you.”

Love your son,
Matthew

A Miracle Through Surrender and Faith

If you met Kyle at Angola State Penitentiary, you would find a miracle. One would have a hard time believing that Kyle was once the man he claims to have been. His story is one filled with hope and love.

“I’m not a poster boy for good behavior and recovery in Angola.” Kyle says. “I’m just a guy who knows he has a lot to be grateful for and a God who gets all the credit. He gave his son so that I may now have mine.”

The Willow Creek Prison Ministry

Willow Creek’s Prison Ministry has many volunteer opportunities from writing to the incarcerated, to making cell visits, to donating inspirational Christian fiction to the girls at IYC Warrenville. If you feel led to this ministry, check out a few of the opportunities on Willow’s website under Compassion and Justice.

http://www2.willowcreek.org/volunteer/details.asp?F=1&A=0&C=588&RegID=None

Respect For Life

January 17, 2010

Respect For Life

ODB RADIO: Listen Now | Download
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/