Greetings
Week 31 of the lockdown ๐.
COVID-19 cases as of 10/15/20; Dixon: confirmed staff 29, recovered staff 18, confirmed inmates 32, recovered inmates 26 | Sheridan: confirmed staff 16, recovered staff 15; confirmed inmates 22, recovered inmates 22. Some negative numbers for Dixon staff, please keep them in prayer for a quick recovery.
This week's Weekly Notes was the mid-week teaching by Joe Thron Assurance of Salvation. As I mentioned to my guys in their greeting, I've at times have struggled with my assurance. Assurance is also a subject that I've discussed several times in the classroom and in early 2017 taught the curriculum was 'The Assurance of Salvation' by R. C. Sproul. You may recall 'The Assurance of Faith' by Joel Beeke was the Discipleship course when IDOC went on lockdown. I've also shown Paul Washer's 'Do You Truly Know the Lord.' A powerful sermon was delivered at The Master's College. SOCPM also has numerous articles on assurance in our PDF library.
Finally started study one of 2 Timothy Standing Firm in Truth via SOCPM on ZOOM. It was only Joe and we got halfway through before Joe's computer had connection issues. I guess if there was a week with no UGHs I be anxious. I plan on contacting the students who have been MIA to tell them I'll be recruiting other SOCPM Alumni if they're not going to participating.
The list of students from the last session of classes continues to grow. This week saw Zahn and Gregory going home. Zahn was a two-time SOCPM student. He originally was a student back November 2011 thru September 2012 and sadly returned after re-offending. His 2nd tour as a SOCPM student was from May of last year to March this year. He connected with one of our church partners in Peoria. Jason the pastor of our church partner started writing letters and I believe even had some phone calls with Zahn. Pray Zahn will stay connected with Jason. Also, a prayer for Jason in an e-mail this week he shared he needed to travel to Florida to deal with some family issues. Please pray for a joyful resolve for these issues and safe travels for Jason.
Gregory was a new student last September. I recommended four churches to him but as best I know he did not contact any of them.
A much shorter newsletter this week, but I do ask for prayers for my son Cameron. I talked to him Monday, he was on his way to a detox center. He wasn't in the mood to give details. His purpose in calling was to ask me to send him money, so he could buy a pack of cigarettes before going into detox. When I said no and explained why the call came to an abrupt end. Please pray for his salvation and that he will not lose his jobs or apartment over this latest relapse.
To Him be the glory in ALL things and to Him alone!
Scott Kalas
Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries๏ปฟ