SOCPM Newsletter | March 13, 2021

Greetings,

It's been a year since the last SOCPM class. 😢

It was 1-year ago today, 03/13/2020, that I left Sheridan for up to now the last time. My last day at Dixon was March 11, 2020. At that time, I thought maybe a couple of months and I'd return. How wrong I was. Since the end of my last class at 9:00 PM on March 13, 2020, 80 of 208 current enrollments have paroled; one had his charges reversed and was set free. Twelve former students have died; 1 of them was a current student at the time of his death. One of those deaths was a week ago today. William, age 29, was shot and killed in a drug deal gone bad. 

The latest from IDOC via the chaplain at Sheridan is still the same as last week; once they administer the vaccines to those who want one, things may begin to loosen up. Since it is voluntary among staff and the prison population gives me some comfort, it will not require volunteers to be vaccinated. I'm see-sawing whether I will get the vaccine, but I rather it be my choice instead of having it put on me if I were to return to IDOC s a volunteer chaplain. My first hope is that visitations will resume soon after. I can't imagine what it must be like for those who haven't seen loved ones other than video visits. Prisons are a stressful place in normal times but not seeing loved ones must greatly increase the stress amongst both inmates and staff.

This week's Weekly Note Psalm 3 - An Introduction was the 49th Weekly Note sent; it is a Psalm of David as he is fleeing Absalom. William S. Plumer, one of the weekly commentators, writes, "Sad must have been the hour when we read 2 Sam. 15:14,30. Never had Jerusalem witnessed such a scene. The sweet singer of Israel in the dress of a mourner is fleeing from his old capital to escape the sword of a rebellious son, is mocked at and stoned by the vilest of his subjects (2 Sam. 16:5-13)." [1] Derek Kidner opens his introduction of Psalm 3 with the words 'The Dark Hour." [2] It brought to my mind how sad an hour it must have been for the inmates in IDOC when the lights went out in their cell house on March 13, 2020, wondering when they will see their loved ones again or fear they may never if one of them or himself was to be stricken by COVID. It was a time of uncertainty; what was this thing call COVID-19.

Charles Spurgeon, one of my favorite theologians, writes, "You remember the sad story of David's flight from the palace to hide from his rebellious son's fury (2 Sam. 15:14). He forded the book of Kidron with a few faithful followers, and in this David was a type of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus also fled across the book of Kidron with a feeble band of followers when his people rebelled against Him (John 18:1). On his way to the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus drank from the Kidron. Many expositors call this Psalm, "the Morning Hymn." May we always wake with a holy confidence in our heart and a song on our lips!" [3]

A couple of thoughts stood out to me as I read Spurgeon, how in today's culture, so many happenings can make me feel feeble as I try to process all the strife of division, not just in the nation, the world, but even in the Church. It seems the unity of the Church is weakening. But rejoice; it isn't weakening. God is still sovereign. He wasn't anxious when just about every living soul knew what coronavirus was and what was to come. Isaiah 46:9-10 are a couple of verses I need to meditate on when I am feeling feeble. I need to remember God was the same God before COVID. He remains the same God during COVID and will remain the same God for all eternity long after COVID is gone. The tribulations before me should not cause me to worry. His purpose still stands and is unmovable, unshakeable nothing can stop His purpose, nor can anything, including COVID-19, separate me from Him Romans 8:31-39.

Indeed as one who professes Christ, I can rejoice in the Good News of Jesus Christ. My focus should not be to mock and scorn those who disagree with me but instead respond as God's Word says in 2nd Timothy 2:24-26. My call is not to win a social media war. After all, I, too, was once in the snare of the evil one. 

In prison ministry, I meet individuals who have diverse worldviews in many areas. I'm tempted at times to get on my 'secular soapbox' and convince them that my worldviews outside the Word of God are more righteous than their worldviews. But then I am reminded my purpose is not to make a carbon copy of my worldviews outside of God's Word. My purpose is to share and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ through God's Word 2nd Timothy 1:8-9, 3:1-5, 4:1-5

On the personal side of life, my son Cameron is doing well for Cameron. He's started his new job at a local grocer. He's started his classes at Grand Canyon University. He remains stressed about the delay of getting past unemployment due to him and finding a new place to live. He's put moving to Oregon on hold. His prayer needs are still plenty; salvation, sobriety (though he and I are thankful for each day of sobriety). Pray he does not let those who rub him in the wrong way cause him to respond in a way he would regret. He continues to make wise decisions looking for a new place to live, and he doesn't make one on impulse.

I'm not sure how I'll long keep at it, but to close on a more lighthearted note some more who cares information for March 13. I did have one reader respond to say they enjoyed, no comment on the heart of the letter, hmm, will thankful for those who do read the SOCPM Newsletter, response or no response.

Today is K-9 Veterans Day, so I hope you had the opportunity to give the doggie a biscuit 🐶 (not exactly the best emoji for a K-9 veteran). Don't rush, but the Indiana Flower and Patio Show began today in Indianapolis 🥱. In 1986 Microsoft had its initial public offering. If only I knew then what I do now 😏. Lovers of snow, ice, cold weather, and dogs, you still have time to get to the Iditarod Race (March 6-21). 

Proverbs 19:21 - Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

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

Scott Kalas
Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries

Week 52 of the lockdown 😞.  

COVID-19 cases as of 03/12/21, Dixon: staff confirmed 261, staff recovered staff 256, staff current 5, staff tests 6,688; offender confirmed 579, offenders recovered 579, offender current 0, offenders test 26,471 | Sheridan: staff confirmed 142, staff recovered 132; staff current 10, staff tests 6.425; offenders confirmed 461, offenders recovered 449, offenders current 12, offender tests 17,545 | IDOC: staff confirmed 4,201, staff recovered 4,102, staff current 99, staff tests 127,182; offenders confirmed 10,780, offenders recovered 10,659, offenders current 121, offender tests 380,326. [4]

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] “Psalm 1.” Psalms: A Critical and Expository Commentary with Doctrinal and Practical Remarks, by William S. Plumer, Banner of Truth Trust, 1975, 52-53.

[2] Derek Kidner, Psalms 1–72: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 15, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1973), 70.

[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] “COVID-19 Response.” Illinois.gov, 12 Mar. 2021, www2.illinois.gov/idoc/facilities/Pages/Covid19Response.aspx.

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