Greetings,

I can't remember when or where, other than it was long ago, I was in some class, and one of the topics was stress. The instructor listed some of the top stress factors. Moving was at least in the top ten if not the top five. In my list, it has to be the top five. It is good to be back in some normality of sanity. The past three weeks seem more like three months with all that has transpired.

This week's SOCPM Newsletter reads more like a personal journal since my focus has been chiefly on 'Operation Move' as I coined Michelle's and my adventures in moving. I'll share more about 'Operation Move' as I coined it and my vacation to Colorado in the last section of the newsletter.

To Him be the glory in ALL things and Him alone,

Scott Kalas
Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries

Prison Classroom Return Update

Despite Operation Move, my communications with the chaplains at Dixon and Sheridan continued. But, sadly, my return to the prison classroom did not.

I had hoped to return this past week, but Sheridan's chaplain informed me in an e-mail on September 8th, the Warden had not yet given the chaplain permission to restart classes, and he doesn't know when that will be. Despite being the first between Sheridan and Dixon to tell me of volunteers returning on July 14th and an initial plan of return to happen on August 6th. However, one of the first things someone told me about doing prison ministry was 'to never expect anything to go as planned.'

My return to Dixon was in place for a September 15th return, but I was the one to postpone this time. I like to keep my teaching agendas in sync, and with the Sheridan delay, I was in the quandary of delaying and trying to keep the weekly class agendas in sync or just dealing with the agendas being out of kilter.

Michelle told me I should have planned my return initially until October when we settled in our new home. So, I took it to prayer and understood God to say postponing was the right decision. Then, with foot-dragging, I told Dixon Chaplain Thomas of my decision. Though somewhat disappointed, he understood my explanation of wanting to keep the classes on the same schedule and have the stress of moving behind me, allowing me to focus entirely on my teaching with a fully devoted heart. However, I did tell him if I still haven't been given the go-ahead by Sherdian on October 6th, I'll start classes and deal with the out-of-sync weekly agendas.

So, unless God steps in, I'll be back in Dixon on October 6th and be patient or at least try to be patient on God's will for my return to Sheridan. So, would you please pray it is God's will for me to be in Dixon on October 6th and Sheridan on October 8th?

The Weekly Note

I did continue to send the chaplains editions of the 'Weekly Note' the past three weeks. They covered Psalm 7:1-9. A quick break down of each;

Psalm 7:1-2 - David, in his perils, seeks refuge in God. The One he can put his trust upon, even when God seems absent. I shared recalling times when someone wanted me to have misery and suffer for whatever reason, much like David was experiencing with his foes. Despite our wishing, He would, God is not like Superman and won't always swoop in, making everything instantly well. I added I'm currently reading 'Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes by Kenneth E. Baily. In commenting on the Beatitude, 'Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted' Matt: 5:4, Bailey writes, "Christians Despite are never urged to seek suffering; they are, however, encouraged to recognize that suffering is an extraordinary teacher."1. I have found this to be very true. When suffering comes, instead of cussing at God, I know someone who does, ask 'What is it You might be teaching me?"

Psalm 7:3-5 - David's protestation of innocence is in verses 3–5 and again in 8. It is extreme. James Montgomery Boice comments, 'David tells God, … "Innocent?" we object. "Who is ever innocent?" We have been taught, "There is no one righteous, not even one" (Rom. 3:10).2 I shared in my greeting, recalling times where I was guilty of accused infractions, and before becoming a Christian, I would ponder ways to escape the consequences. But as a Christian, I do my best to acknowledge my wrongs and not try to shade my accountability. The evil one is always tempting me to at least shade, if not outright lie, but I can do nothing but confess my wrongs through the Holy Spirit. To do so requires nurturing a Christian Conscious. I added R. C. Sproul has a booklet, 'How Can I Develop a Christian Conscious?' and that I will try and acquire some to pass on to my students in hopefully not too distant of a date.

Psalm 7:6-9 - Charles Spurgeon, in his commentary, writes, 'Rise up for me to the judgment you have commanded! This is a bolder statement; it implies sleep and inactivity. This can only be applied to God in a limited sense, for God neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:4). Yet it is often seems so, for the wicked prevail, and the saints are trodden in the dust.'3 My thoughts were on verse 9, 'Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and may you establish the righteous …'! I mentioned how true those words reside in my heart with all the wickedness we see in our world today, the horrific events that have taken place in Afghanistan, the ongoing fallout of COVID, and the much more evils our fallen world. My only true comfort in knowing God is sovereign; none of this evil happens without God's consent. Knowing this makes my church Redeemer Fellowship's teaching series on Revelation more powerful, and how I'm looking forward to using it as the curriculum for the upcoming Discipleship classes. I've not been given a definite week as to when that will be but hold tight, as I pray it is coming.

I did well in maintaining a three-week lead in my Weekly Note preparation, and it proved fruitful these past several weeks. While amid my moving, I did not have the time to put together a Weekly Note. This week's Weekly Note was put together on Wednesday, and I plan to use the coming days to build up at least another three-week lead. Only God knows when they will be fruitful again.

Operation Move

As for Operation Move, praise God all went well, accept one step.

With Michelle having to work, I willingly took on the task of packing as much as possible, allowing Michelle to remain focused on work. It was tiresome and had moments of frustration; where did I set that roll of packing tape? The often, if only this box were a quarter-inch bigger, I could pack this item! If you ever moved, you know the frustrations. There were lots and lots of boxes! Praise of thanks to Krista, a member of our church who recently moved and had lots and lots of boxes to give. It was a long night of packing, 2 AM, before the next day's final new home walk-through and closing. My anxieties and a steady increased heart rate, 90 versus my usual 60, resulted in about an hour of sleep.

What seemed like a blink of the eye, morning came without a trip to the ER. Our final walk-through went well, as did the closing, with one big misstep. With pun intended, the misstep was after our walk-through, my lovely bride Michelle fell! Praise God, Michelle, aka klutz, her words, not mine, was not seriously injured, but a trip to the walk-in clinic resulted in her being placed in a walking boot and doctor instructions to stay off her feet for two weeks. Geez, what some people will do to get out of moving.

Praise God moving day went well in noting was broke and no moves were injured. We used Murphy Family Movers, and we highly recommend them. It was a little chaotic with one moving team moving items out of the storage unit in St. Charles and a second-team moving the condo. The before 'klutz took a fall' plan was for me to be present for team St. Charles and give them entry into the storage facility, then return to the condo, allowing Michelle to go to the new townhome where she would be welcoming team 1.

However, with her foot in a walking boot, driving was a no-no. So, the adjusted plan was for me to go from the storage facility to the new home. While waiting, I unloaded our Subaru, packed the night before. However, the unknown was how to get Michelle to the townhome. Praise God, Krista, not same 'I have boxes, Krista,' but another Krista, the 'I'll drive her Krista.' Our church has lots and lots of Kristas, or some variant of Krista. It can be confusing whose who if one's name is Krista. So, 'I'll drive her, Krista,' drove Michelle, aka 'bootfoot,' to our new home. Nothing real dramatic other than moving day frustrations.

The put everything in its place is still in process but getting there. Our garage is more a storage unit than an actual garage, and that will be my Gordian Knot in the coming weeks. Praise God, my office is 98% where I want it, allowing me where I accomplish my day-to-day tasks. Below is the view I have from m office, much more pleasant than the side of an apartment building in my old condo office.

I could share more about Michelle's and Scott's moving adventures, but enough boredom on that topic.

Respite in Colorado

Back in March, before Operation Move was a known event to happen, Michelle and I planned a trip to Colorado to visit our friends Ray and Luanne, whom I call Lulu, who moved to Colorado in March.

Despite the expected UGHs of Operation Move, we decided we would still pursue our vacation. Michelle was concerned about taking time off of work for both vacation and the time to pack, but I told her I would do the great majority of the packing.

Ray and Lulu would drive back to the Chicago area for a family wedding, and we would drive back to Colorado with them. The COVID II, aka the Delta variant, rose its ugliness. Knowing Ray and Lulu would be attending a wedding the night before, our concern of contracting COVID became a great concern. Especially since Michelle, because primarily for health reasons. We decided it best to cancel. Ray and Lulu understood. However, Michelle could tell I was deeply saddened and suggested I go by myself. I was reluctant, but she encouraged me to go, and she'd be okay. Michelle truly is a blessing. So early morning September 22nd, Ray and Lulu picked me up and off to Colorado with Michelle's restated encouragement.

I could share lots of details, but most would be boring to most. But a few of the highlights were Ray and I got food poisoning from a franchise known for their fresh submarine sandwiches. I was sick for two days. Another highlight was a visit to Pike's Peak. It was an hour's drive from the base to the peak, but the views were remindful of God's beautiful creation.

I found a great Thai restaurant on our way home; I love that Thai food. We also went to the Colorado State Fair, celebrated my buddy Ray's b-day, and much more.

One of the blessings for Ray and Lulu, their home in Monument gets visits almost daily from deer, aka bucks. Again God's wonderful creation of all creatures.

I have many other pictures I like to share, but I've learned what I find exciting, others not so much. So I plan to put them online, when and where 🤷🏻‍♂️, including the one's Lulu, put together for me from her pictures.

The pinnacle of the trip was not the 14,099 feet elevation of Pike's Peak; I think I should have jumped a foot to make it 14,100, oh well my6be next time, but the pinnacle was fellowship with Ray and Lulu. I miss and love you guys.

On the Prayer Front

Cameron is the most urgent. My last few phone calls did not go well. He is struggling with a lot of mixed emotions. However, in our recent calls, he kept cursing God and purposefully said some things intended to hurt and put guilt on me, and though I know it was his emotions more than truth, I felt the need to step away for a while. Would you please pray Cameron can find peace, the peace he can only find in God? I'm not sure of his living arrangements; he gave conflicting stories in the last few calls. He also got fired from his most recent job, and best I know is still not working. Would you please pray that Cameron is safe, has a place to live, and when it is God's will, he will find a job?

Would you please pray for Michelle's foot to heal, for her to get an exemption from her employer's mandate for all employees to be vaccinated?

A couple of significant concerns related to Operation Move; our closing on the condo (Friday went well), God's wisdom in purchasing a water softener, and someone to install it? Additionally, would you pray I can reduce the mess in our garage to at least park the Subaru, ideally both the Subaru and Toyota?

Finally, Sheridan's Warden gives the Chaplain McClimans permission to resume volunteer classes?

Week 79 of the lockdown 😞.

COVID-19 cases as of day, 09/17/21; Dixon: staff confirmed 330, staff recovered staff 328, staff current 2, staff tests 16,388; offender confirmed 592, offenders recovered 592, offender current 0, offenders tests 53,306 | Sheridan: staff confirmed 167, staff recovered 165; staff current 2, staff tests 16,174, offenders confirmed 473, offenders recovered 466, offenders current 7, offender tests 34,3255 | IDOC: staff confirmed 5,309, staff recovered 5,158, staff current 124, staff tests 337,409; offenders confirmed 11,205, offenders recovered 11,125, offenders current 80, offender tests 751,2864

9 current cases of COVID at Sheridan may explain the warden not giving permission for classes to resume.

Citations

1 Bailey, Kenneth E. Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2008. Print.

2 Boice, James Montgomery. Psalms 1–41: An Expositional Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2005. Print.

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, pp. 33-34

4 “COVID-19 Response.” Illinois.gov, 13 Aug. 2021, www2.illinois.gov/idoc/facilities/Pages/Covid19Response.aspx.

Scripture

SOCPM - Unless indicated otherwise, all Scripture quotations are fromThe Holy Bible: English Standard Version: The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008. Print.

CHS - Unless indicated otherwise, all Scripture quotations are 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 indicated otherwise, all Scripture quotations are 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 indicated otherwise, all Scripture quotations are 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 indicated otherwise, all Scripture quotations are 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 indicated otherwise, all Scripture quotations are 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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Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries
A ministry of Redeemer Fellowship Church St. Charles, IL

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