SOCPM Newsletter | June 19, 2021

Greetings,

There is still no firm date on SOCPM returning to Dixon and no movement at all at Sheridan. The numbers related to COVID still look great (see below). I heard from one ministry colleague that Big Muddy River, an IDOC facility downstate, now allows volunteers into BMR. I, for now, will seek patience for SOCPM's return to Dixon and Sheridan.

The Weekly Note for this week was on Psalm 5:1-2. It discusses one's prayer life. James Montgomery Boice writes, 'Sometimes we are in such distress that our prayers are only desperate cries for God to help us. At still other times we cannot find words adequate to express our feelings or voice what we need, though we are nevertheless still praying.' [1] I'm always conscious of my prayer life and often critical of it. Am I too wordy, or did I say enough words in expressing my heart? Still, then I ask, is my heart sincere? Montgomery continues, 'But here is the encouraging thing: God hears all kinds of prayers,' [2] which brings comfort in my praying.

Though God hears all kinds of prayers, including my prayers, I am not to take my prayers lightly and say God's grace is sufficient in hearing my prayers and is -leased with them. Instead, I should seek to improve my prayer life. Charles Spurgeon comments, 'We must cultivate the spirit of prayer which is even better than the habit of prayer. We should begin to pray before we kneel, and we should not stop when we rise (1Thess. 5:17).' [3]

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Romans 8:26 (ESV).

I'm waiting for responses from SOCPM's Bible Correspondent ministry partners Metanoia Ministries and Crossroads Prison Ministries if they can correspond to Uganda, East Africa, regarding a request from prison ministry colleague David Kazooza. I also contacted a personal connection who might be connected to Wycliffe abut getting Bibles sent to David.

I met Anthony from Marengo, IL, for lunch Thursday. As I shared last week, he is a 70-year old, a former prisoner, who contacted SOCPM and seeking Christian fellowship, a church, and other Christian resources. Anthony shared, prays, but it seems like God is so silent, he doubts his salvation. I shared that his thoughts are common, especially doubting his salvation.

Friday, in a follow-up, I sent Anthony an e-mail with some resources. My e-mail included 17 articles on teh topic of assurance of salvation, a two-part sermon by John MacArthur, 'Saved-or-Self-Deceived,' Links for the download of eight suggested titles from Ligonier Ministries Crucial Questions series, an MP3 by Paul Washer, 'Tests for Biblical Assurance 1.' and the names and contact info for four churches near Marengo. 

Anthony replied, expressing thanks, and despite not being an avid reader, he would pursue reading at least some of what I sent him.

Anthony also shared that he has health issues and will soon need to find a new place to live as his current rent increases beyond his budget. He is thinking of moving to the Pekin or Peoria area. I have a prison ministry colleague, Bill, who lives in Pekin. You may remember the prisoner prayer requests Bill would forward to SOCPM. He is with Wesley Ministries and went into Illinois River. Anthony has a step-daughter who lives in the Marengo area, but she is in a lifestyle that is strongly not Christian and believes it would only hinder his Christian walk.

Please pray for Anthony's health issues, one being surgery for a hiatal hernia. Pray he would be able to find affordable housing in the Pekin or Peoria areas. Pray that the resources I provided him will be helpful in his doubts about salvation and that of the four churches I sent him info on, that one would welcome Anthony in being a part of their church family.

On the personal prayer front, Cameron finally connected with the IRS regarding his first stimulus check. They have sent a check. It is supposed to arrive by June 25th. Please pray t does arrive before h moves on June 30th. Cameron is hoping in preference to finding a room or an apartment to share. He has a co-worker who is willing to share an apartment, but it will be a challenge because of Cameron's credit. Pray, they will, by God's grace, find a place, but if not, he will still be able to move into the sober-living he was investigating. Please continue to pray first and foremost for his salvation, sobriety, to continue and expand his reading the Bible, and simply experience some joy and peace in his life instead of a constant life of trials.

My wife, Michelle's vertigo, is better, but she still is experiencing some vertigo. Please pray when she sees her neurologist later this month, he can pinpoint a cause and treatment. My fatigue has diminished for the most during the day but is still noticeable in the evening, especially after dinner. Michelle calls it my eating/sleeping switch. This leads to another prayer request, my diet. I went for my annual eye exam, and as I thought, both near and farsightedness have declined. Please pray that the new prescription is accurate. During the eye exam, I'm one of those individuals clueless about which one is better, one or two, 🤪 and typically do not adapt to my new glasses. Please continue to pray that I find and grow in confidence and boldness in sharing the Gospel with family without causing rifts.

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

Scott Kalas
Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries

Week 66 of the lockdown 😞.  

COVID-19 cases as of day, 06/18/21; Dixon: staff confirmed 318, staff recovered staff 318, staff current 0, staff tests 13,910; offender confirmed 592, offenders recovered 592, offender current 0, offenders tests 49,481 | Sheridan: staff confirmed 149, staff recovered 149; staff current 0, staff tests 14,303, offenders confirmed 464, offenders recovered 464, offenders current 0, offender tests 31,055 | IDOC: staff confirmed 4,626, staff recovered 4,589, staff current 37, staff tests 278,704; offenders confirmed 10,914 offenders recovered 10,910, offenders current 4, offender tests 655,506 [3]

The number of COVID cases for Dixon and Sheridan for both staff and inmates remains at 0. The number of cases in all of IDOC among staff and inmates is static. Praise God!

[1] James Montgomery Boice, Psalms 1–41: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2005), 46.

[2] ibid, [1], 46.

[3] Clarke, Roy H, editor. The Treasury of David: Spurgeon's Great Commentary on Psalms, by C. H. Spurgeon, 3rd ed., vol. 1, T. Nelson Publishers , 1997, 28.

[4] “COVID-19 Response.” Illinois.gov, 18 June. 2021, www2.illinois.gov/idoc/facilities/Pages/Covid19Response.aspx.

CHS - Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations from Clarke, Roy H, editor. The Treasury of David: Spurgeon's Great Commentary on Psalms, by C. H. Spurgeon, 3rd ed., vol. 1, T. Nelson Publishers , 1997 are from the New Geneva Study Bible published by Thomas Nelson, Inc., using the New King James Version of the Bible, ©1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.

FDK - Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations from Derek Kidner, Psalms 1–72: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 15, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1973) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.

JMB - Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture from James Montgomery Boice, Psalms 1–41: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2005) is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.TM

WAV - Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture from VanGemeren, Willem A. “Book 1 Psalms 1 - 41.” The Expositor's Bible Commentary Psalms, by Tremper Longman III and David E. Garland, Revised ed., vol. 5, Zondervan, 2008 is taken from is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.

WSP - Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture from “Psalm 1.” Psalms: A Critical and Expository Commentary with Doctrinal and Practical Remarks, by William S. Plumer, Banner of Truth Trust, 1975 is taken from the Holy Bible King James Version.

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