SOCPM Newsletter | Janauary 23, 2021

Greetings

The Weekly Note Psalm Bible study continues. This week's Weekly Note was on Psalm 1:3. There were several comments on Psalm 1:3 from the commentaries I used this week, and choosing which ones to use was not an easy task. In particular, one was by Charles Spurgeon, 'Even if one river fails, God has another. The rivers of pardon, grace, promises, and fellowship with Christ are never-failing sources of supply.' [1] It reminds me that God does not have a limited supply of His promises for me. Like all of God's promises, Isaiah 43:2, Philippians 4:19, Hebrews 10:23. A reminder to say a prayer of thanks for the chaplains' willingness to continue distributing the Weekly Notes.

After hearing from Sue, SOCPM Pen Pal to Jesse, that he was seeking to know about what's happening in the way of news, I put an offer for SOCPM Newsletter readers to purchase a subscription for Jesse to one of several news sources (USA Today, Newsweek, Time). I've not heard if anyone has, but I was happy to share with Sue that SOCPM purchased a USA Today subscription for Jesse. He should have received his first edition Thursday. Sue hasn't had an opportunity to tell Jesse of SOCPM's giving a gift subscription. So, I think he was pleasantly surprised. Pleasant surprises while incarcerated are rare.

It would be a joy for Sue and me for Jesse to have more pleasant surprises by receiving newspapers or magazines that inform him of what's happening in the world. I again put out the offer for someone to purchase a subscription for Jesse. Some other publications I thought of are; World Magazine (subscription 24 issues, $107.64), National Review (subscription 24 issues, $24), Christianity Today (subscription 10 issues, $36). I could tell you were subscription would be less than a cup of coffee, but I won't 🤥. I will remind you it would be a means to show Jesse that we look upon him as a brother in Christ despite his incarceration. My intent is not to make you feel obligated, and if you don't, you're not being Christian, but a prompt to give it some thought. If you prefer not to subscribe directly, you can donate to SOCPM by doing a few clicks, starting here. Going through SOCPM would make your gift tax-deductible. Notify SOCPM by replying to this email stating which publication you want to be a gift for Jesse and when you have made your donation. Thank you!

In a follow-up to last week's prayer request that I may face possible prostate surgery, I've made an appointment for February 5th with a urologist for a second opinion. I again ask for prayers for Michelle and me to have wisdom in asking all the right questions and making decisions. Also, pray that the complications I'm encountering with my enlarged prostate would lessen (Philippians 4:6-7).

Also, please pray for my son Cameron. Thus far has remained sober despite the trials he is facing. So, that would be a prayer of praise, but please pray for continued sobriety. Another praise is he's let me pray for him, even asking me to in a recent call. He does have many trials still to endure. He's facing eviction which is the most concerning. He received a court summons this past Thursday for January 28th. I did read on the same day that CDC is extending the moratorium on evictions until March 31st. However, he is in great need of employment. Without employment, he will only fall further behind in his rent and he already is in arrears of $2,500. I was able to assist him with his applying online for Arizona's Pandemic Unemployment. A 1.5-hour three-way phone call with a very caring person named Elonda. He still has more follow-up with regular unemployment. He still needs to receive some W2s to file his taxes, which would include his stimulus check. He still needs to get a replacement social security card 🥺. There may be more, but it's all I have in my notes. But last but not least is his salvation.

To Him be the glory in ALL things and to Him alone!

Scott Kalas
Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries

Week 45 of the lockdown 😞.  

COVID-19 cases as of 01/22/21, Dixon: staff confirmed 247, staff recovered staff 243, staff current 4, staff tests 3,752; offender confirmed 575, offenders recovered 572, offender current 3, offenders test 12,690 | Sheridan: staff confirmed 117, staff recovered 113; staff current 4, staff tests 2,571; offenders confirmed 354, offenders recovered 318, offenders current 36, offender tests 7,373 | IDOC: staff confirmed 3,842, staff recovered 3,645 staff current 197, staff tests 53,424; offenders confirmed 10,056, offenders recovered 9,125, offenders current 931, offender tests 162,137. 

The COVID-19 numbers appear to continue improving. Please pray that the improvement continues. However, until those numbers of current get to nil and remain there, I don't foresee volunteers returning. I'm confident the vaccine will play a significant part in determining when volunteers can return.

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