Greetings,
Tomorrow is Psalm Sunday which marks the beginning of Passion Week (Holy Week) and concludes with Easter Sunday. Depending on one's denomination, not all Christians celebrate all the days of Holy Week. However, I like to find articles on various topics, so I've included some links that explain the days of Passion Week; Psalm Sunday, Jesus' triumphal ride into Jerusalem, one week before His resurrection. Holy Monday, Jesus' cleansing of the temple. Holy Tuesday, Jesus issuing various challenges on various topics to the Pharisees and Sadducees. Spy Wednesday, traditionally thought of as the day Judas conspired with local authorities to betray Jesus. Maundy Thursday, Jesus celebrated Passover with His disciples, known as the Last Supper. Good Friday, the day of Jesus' crucifixion for our sins. Holy Saturday, recognized by some Christians as the day on which Jesus "rested" from His work to provide salvation. Concluding Holy Week is the most recognizable name of Holy Week Easter Sunday. The day of our Lord and Savior's resurrection.
This week's Weekly Note was on Psalm 3:3-4; 3 But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. 4 I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah [1]
Charles Spurgeon's comment on verse 4; But t I cried to the Lord with my voice. Why does he say, with my voice? Surely silent prayers are heard. Yes, but good people often find that even in secret that they pray better aloud than when they make no vocal sound. Perhaps David thought, “My cruel enemies clamor against me, they lift up their voices, but my cry out soars them all. They shout, but the cry of my voice in great distress pierces the skies. It is louder and stronger than all their tumult because there is One in the sanctuary who hears me.”[2] Being one who typically prays silently when alone challenges me to not be silent in my prayers but to speak aloud, with assurance my Heavenly Father hears my prayers.
William S. Plumer's comment on verse 4 also resonated with me. "How wonderful a means is prayer. The cry of a worm enters the ears of the Lord of the Sabbath, and he sends deliverance. With God hearing is answering." [3] What a blessing the Creator of the heavens and earth, the One sovereign overall creation will listen to me a sinner but yet loves me.
"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 (ESV)[4]
On the personal side, Praise God! My surgery went very well. There is still some healing to come, but the results exceeded my expectations. I'm thankful for the gifted surgeon, all the other medical staff, and the support of my lovely bride, Michelle. But also a heart of gratitude for all our prayers; thank you! But all Glory be to God!
As for Cameron, most things remain the same. He still awaits back pay for unemployment. He still cannot log in to the IRS to check on the status of his tax return and stimulus check; this is most likely an indicator his return has not even begun to be processed. He has decided to move into a sober living home. Praise, his sponsor is thus far holding to his promise to put Cameron's furnishings in storage. Another praise, Cameron called his youth pastor, Grady, now a church pastor in Maricopa, AZ. They are planning to get together. Please continue praying for Cameron's salvation, sobriety, the processing of his tax return and stimulus check, his move into sober living, and his meeting with Grady and that all will glorify God.
To Him be the glory in ALL things and to Him alone!
Scott Kalas
Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries
Week 54 of the lockdown 😞.
COVID-19 cases as of 03/26/21, Dixon: staff confirmed 276, staff recovered staff 266, staff current 10, staff tests 8,859; offender confirmed 584, offenders recovered 579, offender current 5, offenders test 35,366 | Sheridan: staff confirmed 145, staff recovered 144; staff current 1, staff tests 7,868; offenders confirmed 462, offenders recovered 461, offenders current 1, offender tests 21,497 | IDOC: staff confirmed 4,279, staff recovered 4,193, staff current 86, staff tests 156,480; offenders confirmed 10,825, offenders recovered 10,784, offenders current 41, offender tests 455,138.[5]
Please continue in prayer for the lifting of the lockdown. If only for the resumption of visitations, and the return of volunteers shortly after that.
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ps 3:1–2.
[2] James Montgomery Boice, Psalms 1–41: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2005), 32
[3] C. H. Spurgeon,. The Treasury of David: Spurgeon's Great Commentary on Psalms, Clarke, Roy H, editor, 3rd ed., vol. 1, T. Nelson Publishers, 1997,13.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe. 5:10.
[5] “COVID-19 Response.” Illinois.gov, 26 Mar. 2021, www2.illinois.gov/idoc/facilities/Pages/Covid19Response.aspx.
Who Cares?
A weekly sharing of information that most people could care less about but for those who do!
March 26th - April 3rd Holidays
March 27th International Scribble Day
March 28th National Something on a Stick Day
March 30th National Pencil Day
This Coming Week
National Cleaning Week
This Day Week in History
March 29th, 1848 - Niagara Falls stopped flowing for one day due to an ice jam.
March 30th, 1939 - The comic book "Detective Comics #27" appeared on newsstands. Introducing Batman.
April 2nd, 1902 - The first motion picture theatre opened in Los Angeles with the name Electric Theatre.
Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries
A ministry of Redeemer Fellowship Church St. Charles, IL
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