SOCPM Newsletter | July 31, 2021

Greetings,

Breaking News!
(Gives me the feeling the SOCPM Newsletter has a touch being a bona fide must read newsletter 😁)

Chaplain McClimans sent an e-mail after the SOCPM Newsletter was in queue to be sent. Because of some unexpected workload, he needs to push the return of SOCPM to August 13th ☹️. The later start means SOCPM won't be able to make the claim 'last volunteer out, first volunteer in' 😏. But that is being prideful, than relevant importance. However, in my heat God has placed what is relevant, my love for my students.

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5 ESV

A whirlwind week, but a week of two big blessings! All glory to God. My wife Michelle and I bought a new townhome in North Aurora. I also got an e-mail from Dixon Chaplin Thomas. He has been given the okay for SOCPM to return on September 1st.

The whirlwind started shortly after last week's SOCPM Newsletter was sent. Before the day ended, our condo was sold after the first viewing for the asking price! We didn't even have pictures posted in our listing! WoW! God is amazing! "For nothing will be impossible with God." Luke 1:37 ESV.1

Then the whirlwind kicked in full speed. Michelle and I had looked at several apartments, but the rents were crazy! Don, our realtor, started sending property after property. Several looked worthy of a viewing, but as Michelle and I both learned, those online pictures could be very deceiving. Don shared realtors use a lens that makes the rooms look larger than they are. As we tightened our seatbelts, the properties we did look at were disappointments. The properties did improve as Don got a better idea of what we were looking for, Don is a great realtor, but nothing was a hit. I confess I was in tears Wednesday after looking at some nice properties and the reality of my inadequacy of not being one gifted in home-care.

Wednesday evening, after a few moments of tears, comfort from my lovely bride Michelle and a cry out to God, Don sent us a listing of a new construction townhome. It looks nice, but haven't they all. Will it be big enough? Will that bedroom that looks like it is large enough for two king-size beds, in reality, will even be big enough to hold a twin bed?

One task I did with all the properties is to check the mileage to five places that are reoccurring places we travel to; it passed, next the viewing. The community looks nice, landscapes busy at work, clean, but it is all new. The townhome we wanted to buy potentially was still under construction, so we viewed an empty model. As I entered, I felt a vibe of positivity. Did Michelle? Yes, she did too, and by God's grace and mercy, we said, 'Yes, this is it! Thank You, God!

After an evening of sharing God's blessing with family and friends and researching washers, dryers, and refrigerators, one negative, the townhome did not come with them, and I packed a box of books. I sat down to send some e-mails and noticed I received one from Chaplain Thomas of Dixon. Dixon's administration gave the go-ahead for SOCPM's return. Would I like to start on September 1st? Yes! Full of joy, I told Michelle, and she reminded me we would be flying back from our vacation on the first. So, a quick second e-mail to Chaplain Thomas, still yes, but make the start date September 8th.

The later start at Dixon, about four weeks, my class teachings will be out of synch. It makes life easier when I'm teaching the same curriculum material to the respective Discipleship and Malachi Dads classes. But I'm trusting in God that I will get through it, and He is faithful, so I will.

He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 ESV2

I'm still having some technical issues putting the final touches on the DVDs for the Revelation teaching series, but Wondersahre's support staff has been responsive and helpful. Even if a solution Wondersahre cannot find a solution, it will not be a class stopper. It is more my perfectionism in how I like to present the DVDs.

While I wait for Wondershare's resolve or saying there is no resolve, I continue to put together the weekly teaching notes. As of now, Friday morning, I'm working on lesson nine. My perfectionism wants to have all twenty-six sermons lessons presented after this Sunday completed by the time I start the series this coming Friday at Sheridan.

Through this trial of the past 72 weeks, God has sanctified me in my struggle of being patient. Now in less than a week and I'm back in the saddle as the adage says, but for me, it is I'm back inside the prison gate.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 ESV3

The Weekly Note Psalm study moves to an introduction to Psalm 6. My mind is buzzing and my reflections when I originally wrote teh Weekly Note a few weeks back are blurry as the whirlwind engulfs my memory. A memory that is always foggy at best.

 A quick read I can recall Psalm 6 is one of seven penitential Psalms (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143.) of the early church. Penitence meaning the action of showing sorrow and remorse for doing wrong, Recognizing our actions as the sin they are. 

I shared like David in Psalm 6; I too often will have days and weeks. Sometimes, it seems like an unending time in deep affliction, where both my spirit and body are spent. In total despair, cry out to God for mercy and relief from punishment. This past week in our search for a new home was a good example of a need for relief. Relief not from punishment but a trial. A similar cry for comfort in the trails I've encountered with Cameron.

A previous verse in our Psalm study, Psalm 4:1, came to mind, 

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David. Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!4

God brought relief to Michelle and me to sell our condo and search for a new home. There will be more times of penitence, both from what may feel like God's punishments in areas only God knows at this time, and I trust he will bring relief in my trials with Cameron.

Our God is a God of love. Instead of looking at trials as punishment, when it comes to God's trials, see them as a moment of joy. James 1:2-4

He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 2:2 ESV5

In last week's SOCPM Newsletter, I shared the story of James and promised a story of another SOCPM Alumni, Ivan. Ivan was a SOCPM student From March 2013 to March 2014. By God's grace, Ivan's story is one of God's glorious works.

Ivan contacted me through SOCPM's contact page, saying, 'Just dropping a line and thanking for introducing me to our man R.C. God Bless you.' He shared that he was thankful for SOCPM introducing him to R. C. Sproul. In a subsequent e-mail, I asked if he'd be interested in R.C. Sproul's teaching series of Romans in MP3. If yes, I'd export it and send it to him. His reply was, 'Yes, please export it.'

In an exchange of more e-mails, Ivan shared that he was married to an awesome woman and had custody of his kids from a previous marriage. Praise God! He encouraged me when he mentioned, he remembers SOCPM's teachings, and those that involved my sharing of my being a dad to Cameron were a blessing. It encouraged me that God showed me evidence of how He is using SOCPM as a vessel for His glory.

 He then moistened my eyes when he sent a picture of him, his wife, and two precious daughters. When I see photos of SOCPM Alumni and their kids, it is one of my greatest joys in prison ministry.

Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. Ecclesiastes 9:7 ESV6

Another praise God! It appears Cameron has found a room to rent. In exchanging texts messages with his mother on another matter, she told me he did find a room. I last talked to Cameron on Wednesday afternoon and, Cameron mentioned he would be looking at a place that night. So, I'm assuming that is the room he is renting.

Would you please pray the person he is renting from will be a good landlord and Cameron and hm get along well. As always, would you pray for his salvation, praise for his staying sober during this trial, and for continued sobriety?

Michelle and I need prayer for the buyer of our cond, Matthew, to be willing to delay his taking occupancy until our closing on the townhome. Would you also pray for us putting all the logistics in place for getting fiances together for our purchase? Finally, would you please also pray we will get the help we need to clear out our storage units, packing up our condo, and everything else related to our moving?

Gosh, my newsletters are getting long. I'm not sure if that is good in that God is using SOCPM for his glory in many ways or bad in subscribers or not reading the newsletter because of the length. If you are reading, thank you. If not, I understand and apologize for the length.

Week 72 of the lockdown 😞.  
COVID-19 cases as of day, 07/23/21; Dixon: staff confirmed 320, staff recovered staff 319, staff current 1, staff tests 15,026; offender confirmed 592, offenders recovered 592, offender current 0, offenders tests 49,481 | Sheridan: staff confirmed 154, staff recovered 151; staff current 3, staff tests 15,314, offenders confirmed 464, offenders recovered 464, offenders current 0, offender tests 32,376 | IDOC: staff confirmed 4,749, staff recovered 4,662, staff current 82, staff tests 292,512; offenders confirmed 10,945, offenders recovered 10,923, offenders current 22, offender tests 675,450 7

The numbers increased slightly again. Staff only at Dixon and Sheridan. However, both staff and offenders statewide. I'm assuming it is the Delta-variant. Please pray this Delta-variant does not result in reinstating a lockdown.

1 Psalm 5:11-12 ESV - - Bible Gateway, www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2B5%3A11-12&version=ESV.
2 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, 28-29.
3 “100 Bible Verses about Comfort.” What Does the Bible Say About Comfort?, www.openbible.info/topics/comfort.
4 “COVID-19 Response.” Illinois.gov, 30 July. 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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