SOCPM Newsletter | October 2, 2021

Greetings,

A snapshot of this week's SOCPM Newsletter

As I was expecting IDOC, is mandating vaccines for volunteers, at least in Dixon, but I'm sure it is all IDOC facilities.

God uses SOCPM to provide Bibles for prisoners in Uganda, East Africa.

The Weekly Note and the study of Psalms move forward with Psalm 7:10-17, part 2.

Despite the moving and other tasks of Operation Move having been completed. I'm keeping busy with all the after-move stuff.

Those are the topics for this week's SOCPM Newsletter. I hope you enjoy it.

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

Scott Kalas
Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries

Prison Classroom Return Update

The countdown to SOCPM's return to Dixon on Wednesday, October 6th, is 4 days, 23 hours, and 54 minutes give or take a minute as I',m writing this on Friday morning. The countdown, though, is in God's hands. It is still quite possible another postponement can arise. Just yesterday, I received notice Dixon is mandating COVID vaccinations. All volunteers must have the first dose by October 14th and the 2nd dose by November 18th. A volunteer can submit an exemption, but I've already received mine. In addition to underlying health conditions, I got vaccinated because I foresaw IDOC mandating it. I sent Chaplain Thomas a scanned copy of my vaccination card. Hopefully, it suffices.

I'm not sure if it will be a mandate at Sheridan, but I'm sure it will by the time I return. Perhaps the delay at Sheridan is the warden knew a mandate was coming, but until IDOC finalized the formal policy, they postponed the volunteer return date. I've sent an e-mail to Sheridan Chaplain McClimans to see if he has heard anything on his end.

My heart's desire is to be in Dixon this coming Wednesday and Sheridan this coming Friday, Nonetheless, my returns to Dixon and Sheridan are in God's sovereign hands, But for the fun of it, my countdown clock is ticking. 4 days, 23 hours, and 30 minutes, 37 seconds, give or take.

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9 ESV

Bibles for incarcerated men in Uganda, South Africa

As I shared in a SOCPM's Newsletter in June of SOCPM being contacted by Brother David K, who does prison ministry in Uganda, South Africa. He first inquired about correspondent Bible studies for the prisoners, both female, and male. SOCPM contact several ministry partners and arranged for Metanoia Prison Ministries to send David, Metnoia's entire Bible study lessons to print and use as needed.

Since then SOCPM through SOCPM's ministry financial partners provided David with soap and sanitizer which was in short supply in the prions he serves. Also, SOCPM’s ministry partner Ligonier Ministries has given a complimentary subscription to Tabletalk magazine.

Now through God's blessings of SOCPM's ministry financial partners, SOCPM purchased 50 Bibles for David to distribute in the prisons God has called him to serve.

David distributed the Bibles to women in Masafu prison and men in Mukuku prison

An ardent thank you to those of you who are SOCPM financial partners.

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. - 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 ESV

The Weekly Note

Following up on last week's Weekly Note is part two of two on Psalm 7:10-17. It was the last line of William A. VanGemeren’s comments that stood out to me. The attribute of God’s righteousness is what he does or will do in behalf of his own. He is a victorious God, to triumphs over evil and will avenge his children. Despair is thus transformed into hope, and hope is expressed in the singing of praise to the Lord, but the praise of God is usually accompanied with musical instruments (cf. 71:22).1 Although the gates of Sheridan are closed, God is still victorious and will triumph over all the evils and injustice in our world. When we get into the depths of SOCPM’s upcoming Discipleship teaching series ‘What Does Revelation Teach?’ we will read and study God’s coming judgment to those who have the mark of the beast in their hearts and souls. We will also read and study the victory of Jesus and His church over the devil and the world!

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV

Operation What Comes After the Move

I can't rightfully call it 'Operation Move' since the moving of our stuff all our stuff is complete. However, a lot of our stuff was moved to our garage. Currently, our two-car garage is a no-car garage. Thus my most enormous task is making it a two-car garage, which I don't see happening anytime soon. I hope to make it at least a one-car garage before the snow flies.

Some of it is landfill-bound. Places like Wayside Cross Thrift Store, Salvation Army, and Goodwill don't take mattresses, and all that comes with a bed. If you need a twin bed or know someone who does, with the frame, contact me ASAP as come Wednesday, they are on my list for the man from Groot.

A lot of the boxes contain things that were my mom's. Michelle liked those things like; china, silver, etc. She also had a few clocks that I liked. There is a grandfather clock my step-father made. The cuckoo clock I bought her, I think at least 50 some years ago. She had another large clock that would go nice on a fireplace mantle. But as much as my heart loves clocks, it will likely go to Wayside Cross. The other clocks probably need repair, and I'll pursue it, but giving up the cuckoo clock will be hard. It is the most treasured gift I gave my mom. 

There, of course, are those things that are 'MATM' (Missing after the Move), an HDMI cable for my office TV that I use to review videos for SOCPM classes. My change bowl and the probably $200 in it. My framed certificate of my ordination, my Volunteer of the Year plaques. It's much like the missing sock syndrome.

There are also lots of simple handyman tasks, but simple handyman tasks for me are labors of frustration. They seem to multiply quickly too. With everyone I complete, two more arise. Regardless of the garage stuff and unending simple handyman tasks, Michelle and I are blessed with our new townhome and teh many, many things within it.

giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, - Ephesian 5:20 ESV

On the Prayer Front

Michelle facing termination for not complying with her employer's COVID vaccine mandate succumbed to the mandate. She has a medical history of strokes after some vaccinations and medications. Both Michelle's and my anxieties were high in her receiving the vaccination. Praise God after receiving her first dose this past week; she did not have an adverse reaction. The staff was caring and compassionate. Knowing they did care was comforting; it was a Philippians 4:6-7 moment. Would you please pray Michelle's second dose goes as well as the first?

Cameron was a recipient of God's blessings in employment. Cameron's employment gives way to a healthier relationship between us. Another praise is Cameron remains in contact with his former youth pastor Grady, now the pastor of Maricopa Springs Church in Maricopa, AZ. Grady has genuinely been a blessing. This past Sunday, he drove the near hour’s drive to Cameron's home to pick Cameron up, take him back to his church, and then drive Camoern home. Would you please pray Cameron can control his anger and remain employed and continue contact with Grady?

Unfortunately, Michelle's toe is not healing as quickly as she and I both would like. Unfortunately, a recent x-fay did show a toe fracture, and she will have to keep wearing a boot for at least another month. Would you please pray Michelle's toe will heal this coming month completely? Also, I need prayer in my being a loving husband to Michelle. As much as she would like to do many of the post-moving other household tasks and be able to drive, she has to rely on me. This, of course, results in interruptions to the tasks I'm doing. Would you please pray I will be loving and patient in helping Michelle?

Week 81 of the lockdown 😞.  

COVID-19 cases as of day, 10/02/21; Dixon: staff confirmed 330, staff recovered staff 330, staff current 0, staff tests 16,838; offender confirmed 592, offenders recovered 592, offender current 0, offenders tests 53,944 | Sheridan: staff confirmed 168, staff recovered 166; staff current 2, staff tests 16,296, offenders confirmed 473, offenders recovered 473, offenders current 0, offender tests 35,182 | IDOC: staff confirmed 5,390, staff recovered 5,318, staff current 72, staff tests 347,878; offenders confirmed 11,235, offenders recovered 11,200, offenders current 35, offender tests 774,614.

Unless IDOC Dixon goes on lockdown due to COVID-19 blocking SOCPM's return, this will be the last week of the SOCPM Newsletter detailing IDOC''s COVID-19 Response. Thank you for your prayers during the past 81 weeks of lockdown.

Scripture

SOCPM - All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

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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