REFLECTIONS
Think about such things - Philippians 4: 8-9
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Think about such things - Philippians 4: 8-9
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IS CHANGE POSSIBLE?
In circumstances where prisons are fuller than ever and money to run them is hard to come by, the special needs of individuals can be lost sight of. Instead real people can become mere numbers, labels, categories etc. etc. suitable to be put in a particular box and maybe for ever defined by something that went wrong in the past instead of the potential for change.
There are even some people who seem quite firmly to believe that change is impossible!
At a special event in Kendal called “My Chains are Gone” organised by our friend Marc Kelly of Step by Step (Cumbria), Bob was able to listen to people who could well have been included in any “hopeless” cases list.
It was nothing short of inspiring therefore to hear how their lives have not only been turned completely round but that now - apparently because of where they have come from and the genuine change that they have experienced - they are able to demonstrate a wonderful message of hope to others.
A few days later Mike and Ernie were at the annual conference for Ethiopian chaplains and, as there they met some new chaplains including two former prisoners who had served long sentences for serious offences. What a change!
Those of us who have invited the Lord Jesus into our lives and who have the assurance that God has deliberately chosen never to remember all the mess we got ourselves into can’t help getting a thrill when we meet someone else who is also living in the joy of this.
We just have to tell others – this really is GOOD NEWS!
In circumstances where prisons are fuller than ever and money to run them is hard to come by, the special needs of individuals can be lost sight of. Instead real people can become mere numbers, labels, categories etc. etc. suitable to be put in a particular box and maybe for ever defined by something that went wrong in the past instead of the potential for change.
There are even some people who seem quite firmly to believe that change is impossible!
At a special event in Kendal called “My Chains are Gone” organised by our friend Marc Kelly of Step by Step (Cumbria), Bob was able to listen to people who could well have been included in any “hopeless” cases list.
It was nothing short of inspiring therefore to hear how their lives have not only been turned completely round but that now - apparently because of where they have come from and the genuine change that they have experienced - they are able to demonstrate a wonderful message of hope to others.
A few days later Mike and Ernie were at the annual conference for Ethiopian chaplains and, as there they met some new chaplains including two former prisoners who had served long sentences for serious offences. What a change!
Those of us who have invited the Lord Jesus into our lives and who have the assurance that God has deliberately chosen never to remember all the mess we got ourselves into can’t help getting a thrill when we meet someone else who is also living in the joy of this.
We just have to tell others – this really is GOOD NEWS!
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Focus on Jesus
Reflecting on events that completely changed the course of history.
Focus on Jesus
Reflecting on events that completely changed the course of history.
