SOCPM Newsletter | July 2, 2022

Greetings,

SOCPM Inside the Prison Gate: Back in Dixon, will it last?.

SOCPM Outside the Prison Gate: Lunch with a published author

On the Home Front: Dinner with dear friends

On the Prayer Front - All things family, SOCPM, and more.

These are the topics for this week's SOCPM Newsletter. I hope you enjoy it, despite my lack of an editor. Michelle would like to edit my newsletters (I think she has a deep-seated desire to be an English teacher with a red pencil in hand), but her work voids the time.

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

Scott Kalas
Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries

SOCPM Inside the Prison Gate

Try, try again! Will the third time be a charm? That's my prayer as I returned to Dixon for the third time since COVID.

In Discipleship, we picked up where we left off, the eighth message of Redeemer Fellowship's teaching series on Revelation, 'Practice Repentance' It's one thing to say, repent' but what does 'biblical' repentance look like. We could have a 14-week teaching series on biblical repentance. Maybe someday we will, but for now, it was an excellent opportunity to take those first steps of practicing biblical repentance.

The first step was identifying 'posers.' Those who talk Christian but is there Christian fruit(James 2:14-26)? It was the means for God to open the door for a bold proclamation of the Gospel. Someone can have saving faith, but the fruit is not ripe, as in the church of Sardis. Just what was Jesus' message to the church of Sardis? Perhaps we are not dead but are in a coma; then we need to do as Paul instructed Timothy to fan in the flame of God (2 Timothy 1:4-10).

As I said above, we could easily build a 14-week curriculum on repentance, but for now, what can one do regarding their repentance? Examine yourself! One means to examine is to know the 5 Marks of Repentance by J. C. Ryle, mentioned in the 'Practice Repetancemessage. Other articles made available to the students were; 'How can I know if my repentance is genuine?' and 'What does the Bible say about repentance? What does it mean to repent?'

Biblical repentance is a topic worth reading in-depth. Two of my favorite books on repentance are; 'Repentance: The First Word of the Gospel' by Richard Owen Roberts and 'Repentance: What Saith the Scriptures?' by A. W. Pink.

In Christian Living's Malachi Dads, we dove deep into Chapter nine, Fathering: Part 2. Being a godly man is one challenge, but a godly father teaching godly discipline is probably one of God's most significant challenges? Mix into that challenge a culture of fatherless homes, addictions, crime, and more brokenness; no one can accomplish all the heart may desire without the Gospel. Much more than repentance, Christian fatherhood is a life-long grueling endeavor, especially for incarcerated fathers. One of the challenges we all face is disciplining our children in an ungodly culture. 

In addition to classroom discussion, the articles 'How does the Bible define a good Christian family?' and 'Why are fathers told, "Do not provoke your children" (Colossians 3:21)?' Another topic in addition to disciplining children was doing it in the challenges of a blended family. The article that gives more insight than classroom discussion allowed is, 'How to Merge Right.'

The dads and even those who are grandfathers have questions that class time doesn't even begin to make make a dent. I reminded the students, I'm sure you have questions specific to our situations. So, that's why I have request sheets. Submit those questions to me, and I'll do my best to find answers. I also suggest they take the initiative of telling the children's mother of two resources that can help her when she is feeling overwhelmed as a mom. Those resources Focus on the Family and Family Life has a wealth of information on just about any topic related to Christian living.

A final note for SOCPM Inside the Gate, SOCPM returns to Sheridan on July 8th. I pray and ask you to join me that once Sheridan is open, there is a long stretch of weeks without any lockdowns.

SOCPM Outside the Prison Gate

This past week I received a message via LinkedIn where the sender was promoting their book. I initially thought I had enough books, not interested, but this message was from Stanley Ratliff, an individual I first met in my earliest days of prison ministry. Stanley has quite a story, hence the book 'A North Lawndale Journey of Faith.' 

When Stanley and I first met, we hit it off, and anytime I was in North Lawndale, a day with Stanley and his wife Antoinette was a delight. However, God called me to steward SOCPM, so my visits to North Lawndale became rare, and Stanley left the staff of North Lawndale Church. We crossed paths occasionally, but even the occasional crossing of paths vanished like the mist.

Needless to say, I ordered Stanley's book and replied to his message asking something to the effect. Hey, any possibility you can intercept the order and send me, the white guy with no rhythm, (an inside story of my being captured in a video of a worship service Stanley was leading. If you know me, ever saw me attempt to clap to the music, you are probably chuckling) a signed copy?

He replied, how about we get together, and I'll bring you one? So, yesterday it was a joy for us to reunite over lunch at the Portillo's in Downers Grove. After a warm embrace and trying to recall the last time we crossed paths at least ten years ago, we shared what's happening in our lives currently.

Our fellowship included a topic that is a burden in both our hearts—the racial hatred in our current society. We agreed that the evil one gives voice to the extremes on both sides that spew anger and hate about the differences that cause division. However, it is a joy when we instead focus on the differences as the beauty of God's gift in creation in the uniqueness of our different cultures. 

Yes, each culture has things that may not be the norm for one, but until we know the culture, we can't see the beauty of our unique cultures. Stanley shared that he and a group of men meet from different ethnic backgrounds once a month to discuss finding the common and learning about the uniqueness of our cultures. I don't know what the focus will be, but I'm looking forward to joining the group soon.

I joked with Stanley that just before I left my house to meet him, I was browsing my library for my next read for my downtime while inside the gate when it dawned on me that I was on my way to get the next book, A North Lawndale Journey of Faith.

Stanley and me

On the Home Front

Opening our home for hospitality-type stuff is not one of my favorite things. It's not because I'm not fond of it as much as the tasks of being a host are challenging for me. The challenge of those tasks where I view myself as not doing well opens the door for me to be anxious 😰, What to serve? How much? 🤷🏻‍♂️Putting off my so easy-to-be curmudgeon personality 🤨 and putting on fun guy thing 🤓, without being conscious of am I being a fun guy or am I'm a weird guy? 🤪

Hosting comes easy for Michelle, but with her busy work schedule, it is only right I take on the responsibilities of the various task. It was easy when we lived in our cramped condo, and nobody lived near us; the opportunity seldom presented itself. But God blessed us with a beautiful townhome, so the time to open our doors to friends has arrived. 

Our first friends to experience the event were Harry and Deb. We've known Harry and Deb for many years; they were the first couple to become SOCPM financial partners. So I figured I'd do something in the crock pot, 👎🏻, says my lovely bride. How about something on the grill? Do you mean on tiny Smokey Joe thing? 👍, says my lovely bride.

So burgers, along with the stuff you put on fancy-schmancy-looking trays, and the bowls of chips and other stuff to munch. Deb is happy to bring desert, 😋 my favorite part of any meal, and 😋😋 since Deb is an excellent baker or is it bakress🤷🏻‍♂️

Things were going well despite my burled anxieties, one being my grilling the burgers. And wouldn't you know it, those self-lighter, no charcoal lighter fluid needed charcoals, wouldn't light. So with the wind, which wasn't much more than a gentle breeze and Harry's help, we reverted to Michelle, aka my lovely bride, using our grilling pan on the stove.

Despite the missed opportunity to be a grill master 😎 the day was a good time. Deb's gluten-free carrot cake was delicious. Harry and Deb gave us updates on the kids but are most excited about the next chapter of their lives. They are getting set to move to the Carolina area, an area they love, and look forward to being their new locale after ten years of owning several coffee shops in Chicago. The coffee shops were the fulfillment of one of Deb's lifetime goals. But because of many factors, the business world has lost many of the joys of owning a business. So, they decided it was time to leave the coffee world.

Overall, the hosting thing can be fun. As God will remind me to be anxious about nothing but in all things turn to Him (Philippians 4:6). So, part of me is looking to our next hosting of friends. So, Dave and Joyce, if you're reading this, put on your guest clothes, and let's hope the wind isn't blowing that day.

On the Prayer Front

Cameron - I'm not sure what Cameron's current needs are in prayer. I tried calling him earlier today (Friday), and I got the message, 'call cannot be called as dialed.' I sent a text to his mom and she told me he has a new phone number. She included that he is sober. Praise God he apparently is okay. Nonetheless, please pray for his salvation, permanent sobriety, and health concerns.

Michelle (aka my lovely bride) - Praise her knees have not swollen, pray they do not become swollen, and she remains pain-free; she remains in God's Word.

Self - Praise I'm getting goofy, for me anyway. I've started adding zucchini and a Brussels sprout 🤢 to my smoothies. On the exercise front, I'm still going three times a week for a thirty-minute go on the treadmill; the plus is I've increased the incline to 2 and the speed to 3 mph 😱. Would you please continue to pray for my confidence and lack of trusting God and trust in my SOCPM fund-raising efforts? I'm having a bone density test on July 7th. Would you please pray there are no indications of osteoporosis? Finally, would you please pray Sheridan does open on July 8th, and both Dixon and Sheridan remain open like the times before COVID?

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