SOCPM Newsletter | October 16, 2021

Greetings,

A snapshot of this week's SOCPM Newsletter

After 81 weeks some real class time at Dixon and Student Prayer requests.

The Weekly Note and the study of Psalms move forward with Psalm 8:1-2.

Where aren't thou is our water softener? Yes, Michelle and I still wait for soft water.

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

Praise God; after 81 weeks, I finally had what I would call honest to goodness classroom time at Dixon.

The Discipleship class had only five attendees out of twenty enrolled. After a couple of postponements, the consensus was that they probably did not know the course had finally started, despite it being listed on the Dixon TV network. Unlike Sheridan, the men at Dixon don't get a paper pass. Instead, a daily 'movement sheet' lists all the men who have valid reasons to leave their unit. It's their responsibility to remember and tell the CO they're on the movement sheet for such and such purpose. Chaplain Thomas said, 'He would send all the men on the enrolled roster a note letting them know the Discipleship class has started.'

Four were returning students of the five in attendance; James, Richard, Juan, and Thomas. It was nice seeing them again. However, Richard shared that he will be transferred to one of two facilities once either has an open bed. He requested the transfer as the other two facilities have better programs that deal with his reason for incarceration. While updating my database, I saw James has been a SOCPM student since December 2013. I didn't realize his years of attending were that long. I will have to let him know next Wednesday. The last of the five was Henry. I hope Henry will turn out to be as attentive as some of the men who have been paroled or transferred since March 2020. The first session was an orientation, a short intro to who I am, IDOC and SOCPM policies, the services SOCPM, pending them being in line with new IDOC policies.

The start of the Malachi Dads saw 13 of 20 show up. What happened to the other seven is unknown since Chaplain Thomas prevented the same scenario of the Discipleship class by taking the extra steps of printing and sending all twenty paper passes. Regardless five of those in attendance were returning students; Thomas, Victor. Michael, Wilbert, and David. Like the Discipleship class, Malachi Dads began with an orientation class. We Will kickoff the course curriculum in both classes next week.

With the return of students, there comes the return of prayer requests. Please visit SOCPM's Student Prayer Request page.

I've not received any notice when Sheridan will lift the lockdown

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. - Philippians 4:4 ESV

The Weekly Note

The Weekly Note's study of the Psalms focused on Psalm 8:1-2

Charles Spurgeon comments, There is no place where God is not. …Descend to the lowest depths of the ocean where the water sleeps on disturbed and the sand is motionless in unbroken quiet. The glory of the Lord is there, revealing its excellent in the silent palace of the sea. Borrow the wings of the morning and fly to the farthest parts of the sea. God is there. Fly to the highest heaven, and God is praise in everlasting song. Dive to the deepest hell, and God is justified in terrible vengeance.1

His comments reminded me of the time I was volunteering, I think, at Lawndale Christian Community Church's Hope House (at that time, I served at numerous places on Chicago's West & Southside. So, my recollection of where may not be correct). A team leader something to the effect, 'don't focus on the poverty, but instead, look for Jesus. I can vaguely recall one incident when a man on staff at Hope House took us on a walk through the community. During our walk, we came upon a group of men standing on a corner opposite us. He asked us to stay where we were, but he wanted to talk to the men; one was a family member he hadn't seen in years. The reason he told us to stay was that he was walking in on a drug deal. However, despite the danger, he wanted to go up to the family member in particular and share how the Gospel of Jesus Christ changed his life from gang-banging and drugging.

I marked that incident as a moment of seeing Jesus. Much like Jesus, he chose not to avoid a dangerous situation and have kept walking with us, but instead, he went up the group to share Christ with a group most others would avoid.

I share this to remind myself and you to look for Jesus where you are. It doesn't have to be in a gang, drug-infested neighborhood, but in our setting, the grocery store, etc. But in addition to looking for Jesus, be Jesus. Is someone in appearance struggling with something? I hope I remember this the next time I see someone is struggling.

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. - 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

Where aren't thou our water softener?The tale of us getting a water softener continues. These highlights began with me getting an e-mail on October 6th from my friends at DudEx saying the water softener and brine tank were on their way and will be delivered October 7th 😃

An e-ail on October 7th stated due to a 'No delivery attempt made but because of an undefined 'Exception Reason,' it will be delivered October 8th. 🤨 October 8th, your package is out for delivery! 🥳 Later that day, I got an e-mail my package was delivered. I didn't see the DudEx man. Maybe I missed him 🤷🏻‍♂️. I go outside to look, nothing 😩. I go into teh house to tell Michelle, and then as I enter the garage, there is DudEx man 🤩. But no packages? As he pulls away, I ask him where are my packages; he points to the entry door alcove, and sure enough, there is a box as in only one box, where is box number two 🤷🏻‍♂️ ? I quickly ask the driver as he pulls away, 'is there another box I'm supposed to get two 🥺? Only one, he says as he pulls away 😠.

Several phone calls led nowhere, but I got an e-mail on the 10th 'Hi, SCOTT KALAS. We were unable to complete the delivery of your package from CANATURE USA INC. Exception Reason 1. Unable to deliver shipment - Returning to shipper. Recommended Action 1. No action is required. The package is being returned to the shipper. 😤.

Since Michelle and or I were at home at all times, there couldn't have been any attempts to deliver. On two occasions, I saw the DudEx man and once even asked him anything for 223? No, explaining my confusion, I'm only the driver. UGH! Double UGH! UGH! 🤯. I've made several calls to the shipper QWT; he, too, did not get a satisfying explanation from DudEx. He's had several incidents with DudEx and is contemplating a switch to UPS.

He would put a request in to the warehouse to ship another water softener ASAP. That was Monday. Despite additional calls, every day except Wednesday, it is Friday, and I have no idea; where aren't thou our water softener? 🥱

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. Psalm 37:8 ESV

On the Prayer FrontA prayer cautions prayer of praise, Cameron, as best I know, has remained sober. Would you please continue to pray for his salvation, ongoing sobriety, and an increase of income for financial peace?

Michelle will see the orthopedist regarding her foot. Would you please pray he gives her a diagnosis that her fractured toe has healed and she can say farewell to the shoe boot? She also will get her second dose of the COVID vaccine. Would you again please pray she doesn't have any adverse reactions?

A prayer of praise for my week at Dixon. Would you please pray that all goes well next week at Dixon, a whole class turnout, and a God-glorifying start in the curriculum for both the Discipleship and Malachi fatherhood classes? Second, would you please pray I receive a positive word on Sheridan reopening? Third, would you pray the water softener finally arrives and is installed soon after delivery? Finally, again, not important in the big scheme of things, but a lot of meaning to me, would you please pray I would at least find the box of my ordination certificate and volunteer of the year plaque?

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 1 John 5:14 ESV

Citations

1 1 Spurgeon, C. H. The Treasury of David: Spurgeon's Great Commentary on Psalms. Ed. Roy H. Clarke. 3rd ed. Vol. 1. T. Nelson, 1997. Print.

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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