Greetings,

It was quite a filled two weeks since the last SOCPM Newsletter.

SOCPM Inside the Prison Gate: A lockdown on December 8th resulted in no classes. However, lockdown or no lockdown, there would have been no classes on December 8th. Read on the home front for more. December 15th was one of the best weeks of the current term in both Discipleship and Christian Living (Malachi Dads) classes and affirming words.

SOCPM Outside the Prison Gate: A couple of phone callthat causes me to thank God for allowing me to steward His Kingdom

On the Home Front: I was given a return date, is it possible I will son have a garage storage project accomplished date?

On the Prayer Front - A new year, a look at praying for God's will in all things, including prayer life.

These are the topics for this week's SOCPM Newsletter. I hope you enjoy it, despite my lack of an editor.

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

Scott Kalas
Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries

SOCPM Inside the Prison Gate

December 15th was one of the best weeks in Discipleship and Christian Living (Malachi Dads). You may recall my mentioning the name Henry. Henry started opening up to share his struggles past and present to the class. In addition, several other men shared from the heart.

One comment from Tj that was encouraging to me was, 'the Weekly Notes you sent before the Psalm study and the Psalm study were uplifting to us. Because of COVID, many volunteers disappeared, but you found a way to stay connected with us when others didn't, and we greatly appreciated it; thank you. I have to be honest; I've heard those sentiments expressed a few times. However, when I first started sending the Weekly Note and now sending the Psalm study, I said, 'will anybody even read these.

Once again, another lesson from God; no matter how small or insignificant I may see something, God can and will use it for His glory. All I need to be is obedient to the call.

Michael in Malachi Dads completed his Fundamentals of Faith workbook and received a copy of John MacArthur's Study Bible. A blessing as a result of two SOCPM ministry partners. Mt Nebo Prison Ministry and Grace to You.

On the downside, Juan, a SOCPM student since August 2015, was transferred to another facility. Juan is in SOCPM's Church Connect program. SOCPM connected Juan to Brainard Avenue Baptist Church way back in 2016 despite the fact that he's not up for parole until November 2023. Brainard has even undergone a pastoral change; nonetheless, Juan has exchanged letters with both pastors since 2016. But Juan is right on and dedicated to making sure he's connected to a church when his parole date arrives.

Being an old softie, for most guys, it doesn't take me long really love my guys, but men like Juan, dedicated to growing in Christ and a caring person, eager to share and encourage others in their walk with Christ over six years; I'll miss you, Juan. 😢

Sheridan Correctional Center Lockdown 91 Weeks 🥺🙏

SOCPM Outside the Prison Gate

As I've shared many times, one of my biggest frustrations in prison ministry is because of IDOC policy not having contact with a SOCPM student on parole. But once their parole is over, I can have contact. Unfortunately, however, reconnecting seldom happens. As a result, I have no idea where they are though they said they would only a few seek me out. I understand they hopefully have joy-filled lives and prefer not to focus on their time in prison.

So, it was a happy surprise when Ivan, a SOCPM student way back in 2013. Ivan found my profile on LinkedIn and contacted me. We have had several communications through e-mails since, but we connected via phone call this past week.

In the phone call, Ivan, as he has in his e-mails, shared how SOCPM has been a blessing to him and now extends to his family. He is blessed with a loving wife and has an opportunity to be a godly father to his children. He also wanted to share that he plans to start a prayer ministry outside courthouses. His words and his enthusiasm for serving the Kingdom humbled me because I often hope for when I hear of a former student solidly with his family walking with Christ and serving the Kingdom. All glory to God, but thank you, Ivan, for living a life I yearn for all my students. ☺️

I've been working with Jeff, one of Redeemer Fellowship's Elders, in putting together some strategies for SOCPM's year-end fundraising drive. As it is with many in ministry, fundraising is not my thing. But Jeff has given me encouraging words, and I officially began SOCPM's year-end fundraising drive Thursday night. Thanks, Jeff, for setting aside time for much-needed points and encouragement in my venture into my scary part of ministry, fundraising 😳 .

My first call was to Keith. Keith has been a faithful ministry partner since day one of SOCPM. He and I did cel by cell prison ministry at Pontiac Correctional Center way back on the timeline; I'm guessing 2006. However, I felt awkward calling Keith because he had knee replacement surgery recently, and though I thoughts to call him shortly after the surgery, those thoughts to call would end up in the dead brain cell territory. Nonetheless, Keith affirmed his knowing of my passion for prison ministry when we did prison ministry together and how he still recognizes it when reading the SOCPM Newsletter. Keith's words humbled me by knowing that my passion for prison ministry that comes from God has not waned over the years. Thank you, Keith, for the words of affirmation. 😉

On The Home FrontDixon had its first lockdown of term on Wednesday, December 8th, but even if the lockdown weren't in place, it would have been the first cancellation of the term. The previous Sunday, December 5th, I had to wake Michelle with the words, 'Michelle, something is wrong!' The wrong was I was unable to stand or walk without losing my balance. So I woke my usual lovely non-morning bride, who suddenly transformed into a lovely morning bride.

I won't give all the details, but the initial diagnosis in the Delnor ER was a stroke. Michelle e-mailed and texted our church and others and requested prayer. A CT scan did not show enough, so I was admitted, and a series of tests and blood work showed no indication of a recent stroke. Praise God! But in doctor talk, it did show moderate stenosis of the right vertebral artery as well as extensive sclerotic appearance of the cervical spine. 🤷🏻‍♂️ However, God began answering prayers, and by late Monday afternoon, I had regained my balance and was stable in walking. The neurologist Dr. Subhash Patel was supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (watch Mary Poppins).

He adjusted some meds, and I was discharged, with instructions to have a follow-up visit with him. I saw my GP Dr. William Dagiantis December 14th, it was an already scheduled visit, and he too ordered some additional tests.

All in all, Michelle and I believe God restored my ability to stand and walk through the many prayers. The staff at Delnor was all around caring. Especially Nurse Caylee, when she came into my room, she had a personality that lifted my spirits. All the nurses and nurse aides were friendly and caring, but I wished Caylee could have been my nurse during my whole stay.

Enough of my medical dramas 🥱. I ask for your prayers that upcoming visits and tests can pinpoint what caused my Sunday morning of being a falling-down drunk. I'm pretty sure my diet and lack of exercise are significant factors. So, I ask for prayers that God will change my lack of self-control in eating sweets and bring forth some recipes of healthier foods that my taste buds will enjoy. Also, motivation to exercise with walks and the treadmill in our clubhouse.

On a much more exciting yahoo topic, the garage storage is in place! I still need to make a slight adjustment in hopes of getting two suitcases up there, but the southern wall is much more barren these days. The next big step is a bike hoist. My bike is the only object preventing the Toyota from having a home when it snows. But Lord willing, with a bit of adjustment to the heights of the storage zone, the southern wall will be barren enough, allowing the installation of a rope cleat to tie the bike rope off. If you wonder how much does all that junk weigh, and isn't it in danger of falling? The shelf can hold 750 pounds, and I've still at least 400 pounds to go.

My fascination with my garage storage may be silly to most, but at age 65 and for the first time, having a garage that isn't a storage unit but a place I can actually park a car, let alone near capable of parking two cars, is a dream come true. 🤩

On the Prayer Front

Cameron - I talked to Cameron last night, Friday. He is still in rehab but is looking to leave next Friday. He told me the rehab facility is in Tuscon, and he is planning to move into a sober-living home in Tuscon. Though it is a step forward, and he shared his short and long-term plans, I have my concerns. I won't detail them, but please pray first and foremost for Cameron's salvation. Would you please also pray the job he has lined up doesn't fall through? Also, pray for his sobriety, Christian fellowship, getting connected to a solid Bible teaching church in Tuscon.

Michelle (aka my lovely bride) - My LB (lovely bride for those of you not paying full attention) confesses she is boring, and the only prayer request is that her water therapy goes well. I'll be bold and ask you to bless her with patience as she waits for me to complete other home tasks.

Self - The prayers above in 'On the Home Front' regarding my health. God will bless me with confidence in Him as I begin SOCPM fundraising. A prayer of praise for the blessings Ligonier Ministries has bestowed on SOCPM. Ligonier's blessings will be a significant contribution to a new program SOCPM plans to launch in 2022, The Gospel in Box.' Also, pray SOCPM can find solutions to possible obstacles in the launch of 'The Gospel in a Box.' What is 'The Gospel in a Box?' Look for details in future SOCPM Newsletters or perhaps if you are on the call list for SOCPM fundraising.

Citations

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.

If you are interested in subscribing to the SOCPM Newsletter via e-mail, contact SOCPM and mention your interest in subscribing the SOCPM Newsletter.

Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries
A ministry of Redeemer Fellowship Church St. Charles, IL

You can support SOCPM by clicking here