“I just love ‘em”
TESTIMONY #36
Sammy has been used by God a number of times in the Knowing Jesus gathering.
On first meeting him, you would note that he is challenged in both speech and intellect. While deficient in the things valued in the world, Sammy is wealthy in faith and devotion.
More than...
ANOTHER SIGN OF BREAKTHROUGH
TESTIMONY #35
James opened the gathering with prayer. In it, he asked blessing on the Correctional Officers.
That may seem small and insignificant but it is rather evidence of God’s transforming work in that institution. The “us and them” division between inmates and guards is deeply ingrained in...
Bruce’s Unholy Method
TESTIMONY #34
On a day when all the factors aligned in our favor 30 to 40 men would come. Today, Bruce was the first to make it to the Chapel for the Knowing Jesus gathering. Due to faulty alignment, today would be a day when only three others would make it from the various dorms through the center gate to...
GIVING THANKS IN ALL THINGS
TESTIMONY #33
At the start of a Knowing Jesus session, as is usual, I asked if someone would like to open us in prayer. An older gentleman, new to our gathering offered to do so and took to his feet in reverence. His prayer for us was filled with thanksgiving — for God’s mercy, for our gathering, for the day,...
Walls Tumbling Down: Testimony #32
My best guess is that James is no more than 20 -- probably the youngest in the group -- the youngest as well; spiritually speaking. Last Tuesday morning during the Knowing Jesus gathering in the men's dorm, James apologized to the group. Apparently, the day before he had an "eruption" in which he spoke things he...
Numbers
I've known David for over seven years now. Like most of the incarcerated, David has a nickname. Everyone knows him as "Numbers". It is likely that he falls somewhere on the autism spectrum. While he has zero social skills and is impossible to offend, David is something of a genius. He speaks multiple languages. Most...
Repeat Offender
TESTIMONY #30
Anthony is a recovered addict. While under the influence he did some horrible things. He went through the CSR class at the Chapel and then he went through it again. The second time through, or maybe it was the third time, he did the hard work of self examination in steps 4 through 7. I sat...
A WELCOME MAT FOR HOLY SPIRIT
TESTIMONY #29
He was new to the Knowing Jesus gathering. Caramel skin with no obvious tattoos. He was sitting in the back, probably undecided and checking us (or me) out. One of the regulars offered prayer. A few gave brief testimonies of where they had seen God’s hand at work.
Then we opened...
The One Among Many
TESTIMONY #28
In the more than ten years of work with inmates, I recently was awakened to the depths of discouragement these men can face on a daily basis. First I must remind you that the ones I am privileged to work with are the ‘cream’ that rises to the top. They are the small minority willing to engage...
Happier Than Ever
TESTIMONY #27
Reggie speaks with a West Indies brogue. While he seems much younger, he is 58. I know this because during our discussion of Scripture and the work of Christ in our lives, Reggie shared that he had just had his 58th birthday and that at the present time of serving out a prison sentence he was...
Keith's Loss and Christ's Gain
Testimony #26
It was Keith’s first time to be a part of Knowing Jesus.
He shared how when he was in his bunk and heard the callout he sensed the Spirit urged him to get dressed and go. He had never done so and had not intended to do so but this time he was compelled.
Keith had no trouble...
Gerardo's Poem
Testimony #25
Having been kept out of Calhoun CI for 9 months due to quarantining and other factors, I was thrilled to return last week.
The Knowing Jesus gathering was considerably smaller than before the pandemic. A few of the men had died from covid and many had transferred out. Still we had...
Eddie's Surprise Blessings
Testimony #24
Eddie is probably in his late twenties to early thirties. He showed up for the Knowing Jesus gathering and seemed very happy to be with us. When I asked the usual question, “Where have you seen the hand of God lately?”, Eddie was one of those with a report.
He told us that he was just...
Right Where Joe Is
Testimony #23
I’ll call him Joe.
Joe took the recovery classes, did the work, and trusts in Jesus. He’s a smart man, well educated, soft spoken and polite. He struggles more than many over living in an environment with so much violence. But, Joe has hope in Jesus.
He shared...
Tex's Contention
#22 Tex’s Contention
Back in the prisons after a long quarantine lockdown! Halleluia!
Toward the end of the “Knowing Jesus” gathering, the new face in the back raised his hand. “I’m an atheist” he stated contentiously.
I love it when this happens.
We didn’t argue with Tex. We acknowledged...
Paul's 'All-In'
Testimony #21
I want you to hear from Paul again. He had a testimony awhile back (#15) but as you well know, the Lord continues toward the completion of the good work He has begun in us, and like you and me, Paul is one of His works in progress.
Paul, again this second time, stood up to address the men...
Jay's Mission
Testimony #20My best guess is that Jay is six foot four and 50 years old. He is slender, energetic, positive and speaks with an East Indian brogue. While new to the camp, he has fit in well by shining the love of Jesus all around.The Chaplain’s noticed Jay’s leadership and asked if he would like to be a part of...
Tommy's Sentence
Testimony #19
I’ve had contact with Tommy for over 7 years now. As is the case with most inmates, I have no idea of what crime he was convicted nor the length of his sentence.He is an older man, probably late sixties or early seventies, very even-tempered, quiet, respectful and kind.Last week he stood up to...
Tim's Return
Testimony #18Tim reluctantly stood up to speak to the others. He had wrestled with the idea of keeping quiet but then excused himself for coming forward by explaining that he had promised God he would tell the story to any who would listen.For 10 or 15 minutes he told us of how his broken life was littered with...
Matt's Contagion
Testimony #17Matt (the same Matt from testimony #7) shared an amazing testimony in the midst of one of our large gatherings. I wish I could relate it to you, but to tell you the truth, it was such a supernatural event that words will not communicate. But here we go.We were discussing Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians...
Peter's Mother
Testimony #16I got a call today from Peter. He was released almost a year ago and went directly to a hospital in New England to be with his ailing mother of 87 years. He shared with me how God had worked for his mother.He spent the last three months of her life by her side, sharing how his recovery and his faith...
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