<![CDATA[AriseandShine.org - August 2022]]>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:08:47 -0600Weebly<![CDATA[Life Goes On]]>Wed, 31 Aug 2022 06:00:00 GMThttps://www.ariseandshine.org/august-2022/life-goes-onThe Lord has called me from the womb; from the bowels 
of my mother has he made mention of my name.
Isaiah 49:1

There are no accidents or unexpected events with the Lord...
Before the world came into existence, God had each and every one of us on His mind. Even before my mother was yet to become pregnant with me, He already knew my name. He also knew the path my life would take, and the pain and disappointment I would experience in my younger years. And He knew of the miraculous work of healing and deliverance He would later do that would leave many people amazed.

As I have said many times, if not for God's mercy, I would probably be dead right now. Plagued during my adolescence with thoughts and fantasies of death and suicide, and thinking I would be better off dead, I am certain it was the unseen hands of Jesus that kept me from taking my life.

This inner battle began when I was a young child, and it continued into early adulthood. Time and again, I would unconsciously set myself up for failure. Be it at school or with the relationship I had with my parents, I would somehow find a way to cause damage and create discord.

These struggles continued into my incarceration, as well. But when I had a personal encounter with the Lord late one night as I sat in a prison cell, it was a major turning point for me. After asking the Lord to please forgive me for all my sins and to come into my heart, not only did He do so, but He immediately began a work of deep inner healing in my life which continues to this day

Although I had no understanding as to why I was undergoing so much psychological distress, I now began to understand that cruel demons had me targeted. Why? I cannot say with certainty. But it has since become clear that because of various circumstances I experienced in my childhood, I had become vulnerable to their dark influences. They had somehow managed to gain access to my mind and soul.

But in spite of their diabolical plans, and because of my heavenly Father's love for me and His desire to use me as an example of His great mercy, my life was spared. It is a part of God's character to forgive even those like myself, whom society considers to be the worst of criminal offenders.

He does this, I believe, in order to demonstrate to the the world that anyone can be forgiven if they have a sincere heart of repentance, and are willing to place their faith in the Lord Jesus, and on His death as full payment for our sins by shedding His blood on the cross (see The Good News!).

D.B.
]]><![CDATA[The Misery Wagon]]>Sat, 27 Aug 2022 06:00:00 GMThttps://www.ariseandshine.org/august-2022/the-misery-wagonMy morning was interrupted by the unmistakable and familiar sound of the transport wagon... 
I could hear the sharp, irritating rattle of its big skateboard wheels as it was being pushed along the corridor's concrete floor. For the inmates, the sound of the wagon can sometimes mean the foreshadowing of bad news.

The other prisoners heard it too. As if on cue, hearing the sound of its discordant clacking caused several dozen heads to turn towards the entry gate of our cell block. With eyes transfixed, we silently watched as a correction officer pushed the wagon into the building, while a second officer, working as his assistant, walked alongside him.

Upon seeing them, the big question that was registering in our minds was, "What cell are they going to?" We watched intently as they stopped in front of a cell on the first floor. The resident of that cell, we knew, was currently in the prison's Infirmary. He had been there for a couple of weeks. He's in his early sixties, and has been battling cancer. And from what we have heard, his cancer was advancing, and his health was deteriorating.

When his cell door opened, in went the guards to inventory each and every piece of his property. Their job was to place his belongings in what are called "pack-up bags." It's a routine process. But the questions now in our minds were, "Did he die?" or if not, "Where is he going to?" We knew, however, that he definitely wasn't coming back. Because if he was, they wouldn't be gathering his things.

For me, this was personal. The man who occupied that cell is a dear friend of mine whom I have known for upwards of seventeen years. We were at Sullivan Correctional Facility together, and we both got transferred to Shawangunk (although at different times), and have since been reunited.

So for me, seeing the officers gathering his belongings was devastating. My heart was heavy. But on they worked, putting item upon item into those big bags. And when one bag was full, they'd toss it into the wagon and would start filling up the next one until they were done.

I watched as the last bag was loaded onto the drab green wagon. My friend either died in the Infirmary, which would not be unusual (if so, he would not be the first), or he was being transferred directly from the Infirmary to what is known throughout the system as a Regional Medical Unit.  

Later, I would learn the latter was the case. The cancer was spreading, and his prognosis is poor. Except for a miracle, I doubt I will ever see his face again on this side of eternity. Amongst those like myself who've been incarcerated for a long time, the state's Regional Medical Units, of which there are a few, are better known as "Bone Yards," and with good reason. Prisoners with life-threatening health issues seldom return.

But the Misery Wagon has once again lived up to its name. Unless it's for a regular routine transfer, whenever the wagon shows up it is either to gather the belongings of a prisoner who has died, or was being committed to a Medical Unit, or was apprehended for committing a more serious rule infraction and was going directly to solitary confinement, also known as "The Box." 

The Misery Wagon. That's what it is.

D.B.
]]><![CDATA[My Family]]>Fri, 19 Aug 2022 06:00:00 GMThttps://www.ariseandshine.org/august-2022/my-familyFor this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.
Ephesians 3:14-15

People often ask me about my family… 
It's an honest question. But my response is, "Which one?" I know this surprises them. But with a smile, I will say, "I have two families. One consists of my loved ones on the outside whom, unfortunately, I have been estranged from for many years. While my second family are my fellow Christians, some who are right here with me, and whom I get to see almost every day.”

It's true. I have family members who, like me, are also doing time in prison. I see them in the hallways, in the recreation yard, and in the chapel. The Bible says that those who are Christ's disciples are all members of His heavenly family, more commonly known to most people as “the Church." 

God is my heavenly Father. And because I have placed my faith in His Son Jesus, I therefore have become one of God's sons as well as a member of His spiritual family. In fact, all those from every nation who believe Jesus is Lord, are considered to be a part of His universal body and family. "We are members one of another" says one Scripture (Ephesians 4:25). While another says that we are continually being "knit together in love" (Colossians 2:2).

I've got family everywhere, and that's a good thing!

D.B.
]]><![CDATA[Out of Darkness]]>Tue, 16 Aug 2022 06:00:00 GMThttps://www.ariseandshine.org/august-2022/out-of-darknessHe who has called you
out of darkness ​into
​His marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9

I am convinced that if God has placed a calling on someone's life...
He has an important purpose for that person to fulfill. To be chosen by God is nothing to take lightly. This is the subject I had been talking about earlier today as I sat with a close friend. The call of the Almighty upon an individual is, for that man or woman, a very serious matter.

Interestingly, if anyone is familiar with the Bible, many times the Lord will choose the most ordinary people to accomplish the most extraordinary tasks. Jesus, as he began his ministry, handpicked a group of men that, if you saw them and knew their backgrounds, you would think He was making a big mistake.

The Lord chose a handful of local fishermen, a hated tax collector, a political zealot, and other unknowns whom he would then take under his wings to patiently teach and train to be his disciples. And, within the course of about three and a half years, they would become men of great faith full of the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit. They would then go on to change the course of history.

This was impressed upon my heart today as I was reading the apostle Peter's first letter to the churches who were scattered throughout the continent at the time. "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness (and) into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).
It also confirmed to me by what I had been reading from a devotional book titled, "The Impact of Ordinary People" by Reverend Don Wilkerson, the cofounder of Teen Challenge, and founder of Global Teen Challenge. Don Wilkerson is also the brother of the late Reverend David Wilkerson, who, along with his brother Don, established the successful Times Square Church in New York City's borough of Manhattan.

​As for myself, I am humbled and thankful that the Lord looked down the corridors of time and saw me. For reasons I do not know, He took pity on me. God rescued me from the satanic darkness I was trapped in, and brought me into His Light. What can I say but, "Thank you, Lord Jesus!"
Picture
Available at GoodReads.com
D.B.

*The Impact of Ordinary People, by Reverend Don Wilkerson
Bridge-Logos Publishing, Newberry, FL 32669
Copyright 2021

www.DonWilkersonOnline.com
]]><![CDATA[A Slave No More]]>Sat, 13 Aug 2022 06:00:00 GMThttps://www.ariseandshine.org/august-2022/a-slave-no-more"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the
  world; but that the world through Him might be saved."
  John 3:17

God always confirms His words...
In my previous journal entry, I wrote how the Lord has been reminding me, as He has done so often, to move on with my life. That I am to leave the past in His hands, and not remain enslaved by it. In Christ's kingdom, there is no place for soul-crushing guilt, nor beating oneself up over his bad choices.

For those like myself who have placed their faith in Jesus and on the sacrifice of Himself on the cross, the shame which resulted from those sins has been replaced with the peace and joy of experiencing God's forgiveness. And with this also comes learning how to forgive oneself. This, I believe, is where the challenge lies.

God's forgiveness of my sins and crimes came the very moment I repented of those things and asked Jesus to come into my heart. But to forgive myself has been an issue. And I also think the greater the damage done to others because of one's sinful actions, the harder self-forgiveness can be.

Yet, I know I have made great personal progress in this area. And I will continue to make progress because, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength" (Philippians 4:13).

My life did not end when I came to prison. Our lives, I believe, are like a book. We each write a chapter at a time. When one chapter comes to an end, another begins. With me, and I say this in humility, God is not done with me yet. He has more work for me to do. If I did not believe this, there would be no purpose for me to go on living.

D.B.
]]><![CDATA["David, Move On!"]]>Wed, 10 Aug 2022 06:00:00 GMThttps://www.ariseandshine.org/august-2022/david-move-onHow many times have I needed to hear and be reminded of these very words? 
"David, move on with your life." They are the words of Jesus, reassuring me once more to leave the past behind. To know with complete assurance that He has forgiven me for all my sins and crimes, and to know He will never hold my terrible past against me.

Many times curious people, some of them well-meaning, and others not so, will ask me to explain why the Son of Sam shootings occurred. But there are things a person may do in life for which he may not be able to fully explain, at least not in a clearly understandable way. And this has been the case with me.

I know this has left some people frustrated. They've tried to heap guilt on me for this, and it used to bother me greatly. While to a large degree it still does. But over the years, God has given me peace about the matter.

"David, move on with your life. You are forgiven. I paid the price for your sins with my own blood," declares the Lord. "Do not allow the devil to try to shackle you to the past, because I have broken those chains of guilt and shame." These words from the lips of Messiah Jesus are the sweetest words a guilty man could ever hope to hear.

"Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool" (Isaiah 1:18).

D.B.

NOTE: Today is the anniversary of my arrest on August 10, 1977
]]><![CDATA[The Weeping Prophet]]>Mon, 08 Aug 2022 06:00:00 GMThttps://www.ariseandshine.org/august-2022/the-weeping-prophetOh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a
fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night
​for the slain of the daughter of my people!
Jeremiah 9:1

Those who are familiar with the Old Testament character of Jeremiah the prophet…
...also know him by his popular nickname, "The Weeping Prophet." Called to prophesy and to preach in one of Israel's most difficult periods, Jeremiah suffered greatly. He went against the false prophets who spoke promisingly of national prosperity and peace while the people, for the most part, continued to rebel against God and turn further away from Him more and more with each passing day.

Jeremiah boldly but lovingly warned of a coming national calamity. As God's spokesperson, Jeremiah told the people just what the Lord wanted them to hear. That their nation would face serious consequences, unless there was true repentance and a turning away from sin, along with returning back to God.

It's no different today. If there was ever a time to weep for our world and all the trouble, calamity, and pain we see all around us, it is now.

Even Christ himself spoke about the "signs of the times." Speaking of the end time judgments, Jesus said, "So when you see these things - wars and rumors of wars, the spread of pestilences, earthquakes and famines - know that the end is near, even at the doors" (Matthew 24:4-7 and 24:33).

If I may say so, China and North Korea are rapidly building up their militaries. China clearly has its sights on Taiwan, and beyond. While Soviet Russia, who has since returned to its aggressive ways, has its sights on Israel. I think this is obvious, and I believe that many who are reading this will agree with me.

I also believe that Russia, through its current war in Ukraine, is now inching its way towards the Holy Land by pushing through one Ukrainian city or town at a time. For Russia, it is not about a greedy grabbing of land. Nor is it merely anger towards the NATO Alliance, as some media people have suggested. It is far more. It's a demonic strategy which is looking far beyond Ukraine's borders.

This is what I felt led to write about today.

D.B.
]]><![CDATA[A Sea of Faces]]>Thu, 04 Aug 2022 06:00:00 GMThttps://www.ariseandshine.org/august-2022/a-sea-of-facesAs I sat in the back of tonight's bible study class that was given by one of our elder members… 
...and as I gazed upon the twelve men who were sitting in front of me, I began to experience something of an epiphany. It was a daydream about the people I will meet in heaven. It even caused my eyes to tear.

Heaven, I know from reading what the Scriptures reveal about it, will be a place of beauty that words cannot accurately describe. But beyond its magnificent grandeur will be those who will make up its population. Heaven will have among its citizens redeemed people from all nations and backgrounds and cultures.

And as I sat in the class listening and observing, it occurred to me that one day we ourselves will be walking those streets of glory too. In essence, we're something of a microcosm of who will be there. Our class consisted of four whites, four blacks, and five Hispanics. It was a fairly even mix.

The Bible itself says it best, "After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar, 'Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb'" (Revelation 7:9-10 NLT).

Reading this passage makes me yearn for heaven. What a place of joy it will be. There will be no more prison bars to contain me. I'll be with my heavenly family, forever. Best of all, I will be with the "Lamb" Himself, who is none other than the Lord Jesus. He is my Savior and Messiah, and the King of the Universe to whom every knee must one day bow.

Heaven will consist of a never-ending sea of faces from every nation and every shade of color.

D.B.
]]><![CDATA[Living for God]]>Wed, 03 Aug 2022 06:00:00 GMThttps://www.ariseandshine.org/august-2022/living-for-godI urge you therefore, my brothers and sisters, by the mercies
of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
​acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:1-2

I am grateful for the privilege of being able to sit with a dozen or so men who love to talk about God… 
...and want to learn more about Him. Being one of the congregation's teachers and having been in this particular fellowship for more than six years, I can attest to the genuine spiritual hunger and love they have for their Lord Jesus Christ, and for the Scriptures too.

Beginning last week, for instance, we began a study of Romans 12:1-2 in the New Testament, where the writer of the book of Romans tells us to present our bodies as "living sacrifices" unto God. We therefore set out to discuss and explore just what this may entail. I titled the lesson, God's Pattern for Living.

While this week we continued with our study, we now looked at what I believe is a passage that ties in well with the call of becoming a "living sacrifice." In the apostle Peter's second letter to the churches scattered everywhere, which I told the men also included us today, there is a list of attributes that are necessary to have in order to live a life that is pleasing to God.

So we looked at 2 Peter 1:1-11 as our main text. Here, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, Peter wrote that God has already given to those who have placed their faith in His Son all we need to live a victorious life while living in the world. He then went on to list these things, urging us to make sure we included all of them.

Therefore, the qualities and attributes that should be added to our faith as we mature in our walk with the Lord are: "virtue" which is moral excellence, knowledge of the Lord, temperance which is self-discipline, and patience. Also, "godliness" which is having an honorable character, along with brotherly kindness, and "charity," which is love.

"The Lord has given us plenty to work with,” I told them. "He has provided us with everything we need to live for Him, and to be successful in whatever He has called us to do."

D.B.
]]><![CDATA[Nine Deer]]>Mon, 01 Aug 2022 06:00:00 GMThttps://www.ariseandshine.org/august-2022/nine-deerNot that I was ever in need, for I have learned 
​how to be content with whatever I have.
Philippians 4:11 NLT

If I could make a list of all my wants, it would probably be quite lengthy...
This would be especially true for someone who is shut away behind the walls and fences of a maximum-security prison. But as time goes on, many things that I once considered to be in need of, have lost their importance.

This was further reinforced earlier today when I went outdoors to the main recreation yard. As was my custom, I checked on my beloved tree friends, Miss Goldie and Mister Orange. They were fine. Well-watered with plenty of sunshine, my friends were nicely camouflaged by their lush green leaves. They've blended in with their neighbors who appear just as healthy, and they will stay this way until it's time for their fall colors to burst forth.

I then continued to walk the perimeter of the yard as I usually do, enjoying some quiet time. It was a blessing to get out of a hot and noisy cell block and stand under a vast sky of blue. And that's when I saw them. Nine deer grazing in the field which surrounds the rear and sides of the facility.

They're a common sight around here. Sometimes they'll be few in number, while at other times they'd be over two dozen. Although the land officially belongs to the State of New York, these quiet creatures seem to have claimed the land as their own.

I stopped to watch them. And if I could describe the herd with just one word, it would be contentment. Some of the deer were bent down eating, while others stood still while looking around. A few were even watching me as I watched them. I would think that by now I have become a familiar face. 

They had food. They looked healthy and calm. The deer reminded me of the apostle Paul's letter to the church in the ancient city of Philippi. "I have learned to be content." Well, I'm not there yet, but I believe I'm going in that direction.

D.B.
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