Out of Zion, the perfection
of beauty, God hath shined.
Psalm 50:2
God's radiance forever shines, and it is a million times brighter than the sun...
of beauty, God hath shined.
Psalm 50:2
God's radiance forever shines, and it is a million times brighter than the sun...
And, today, the Lord shined in many hearts. It happened right in the prison's chapel area. Lives were touched. Men were encouraged by the Word of God, and the Lord once again affirmed His love for those who are incarcerated.
Today we had what was called a "retreat." I don't know why it is called such. I guess because men have the need to put a name or title to everything. Plain and simple, however, we had a special once per year gathering in which eight volunteer lay ministers from the outside came to fellowship with about forty-two inmates. We all sang, prayed, read our Bibles, sang and prayed some more, and listened to our guests (whom we consider to be our extended church family) as they took their turns giving testimonies and expounding on the Scriptures. My chaplain was also present.
We had special plaques made for the volunteers. These were nicely done inside the prison's Building Maintenance shop. It was our way of showing love and gratitude for all the time, effort and expense these ministers give to us. Some of them have been coming to this facility for twenty years. They get no compensation, but for each of them it is a labor of love.
The retreat went from 12:45 to 7 P.M. It would've gone to eight o'clock, but our guests had to get back to their respective homes and families. While at approximately five o'clock we were able to gather for a nice meal. Afterwards, I stayed in the chapel for another hour as part of an eight man work crew. We had to clean up and also put away the extra chairs and tables, and then prepare the chapel for tomorrow's worship service. I left the building feeling physically tired but spiritually refreshed. Indeed, it was a day for God to shine, and He did.
D.B.
Today we had what was called a "retreat." I don't know why it is called such. I guess because men have the need to put a name or title to everything. Plain and simple, however, we had a special once per year gathering in which eight volunteer lay ministers from the outside came to fellowship with about forty-two inmates. We all sang, prayed, read our Bibles, sang and prayed some more, and listened to our guests (whom we consider to be our extended church family) as they took their turns giving testimonies and expounding on the Scriptures. My chaplain was also present.
We had special plaques made for the volunteers. These were nicely done inside the prison's Building Maintenance shop. It was our way of showing love and gratitude for all the time, effort and expense these ministers give to us. Some of them have been coming to this facility for twenty years. They get no compensation, but for each of them it is a labor of love.
The retreat went from 12:45 to 7 P.M. It would've gone to eight o'clock, but our guests had to get back to their respective homes and families. While at approximately five o'clock we were able to gather for a nice meal. Afterwards, I stayed in the chapel for another hour as part of an eight man work crew. We had to clean up and also put away the extra chairs and tables, and then prepare the chapel for tomorrow's worship service. I left the building feeling physically tired but spiritually refreshed. Indeed, it was a day for God to shine, and He did.
D.B.
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