JR
Texas, Jan 19, 2005
To Whom it may concern,
Greetings to you in the wonderful name of Jesus, that name that is above every name, that name in whom we have been made the righteousness of God, been reconciled and brought near when we were so far away, been redeemed and raised up and made to sit together in heavenly places where we enjoy all spiritual blessings in Christ - its in that name that I greet you "... with an holy kiss..." and pray His grace be abundantly multiplied unto you, and peace from our heavenly Father and the Son of His great and immeasurable love - Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
My name is JR. I am an inmate of the Texas prison system. I have been since 1986.
On March 4, 2000 I went to our chapel to hear a "freeworld" band. They were called "Pure Faith". I enjoy music - especially live music - and had heard much about this group previous to this event- so I decided to go and check it out. The group was everything I had heard and expected. They were awesome! What I did not expect is what took place afterwards. After the music, hey began to share Christ with us. I began to feel this pull - this tug to go forward. I had been in the chapel before but had never experienced anything like this. I was seeing myself in a different way - a way I had never seen myself before. As I sat there trying to hold back tears I felt welling up inside of me and beginning to stream down my face, I wondered who might see me and what they might think of say. A battle was going on inside me - part of me desiring to go forward and part of me afraid of what those I know would think or say. Finally I decided that I did not care what others thought and (I got up and made my way to the front of the chapel. I was met by our Chaplain,. We prayed. I asked Jesus to forgive me for everything I had ever done wrong and to help me to do what is right and good. I really meant it. It was as if a heavy weight had been removed off me and a peace filled my heart.
I used to think that Christians were weaklings. I used to call them all kinds of names and make all sorts of accusations against them. I was so very, very wrong. I have learned that Christians are the real men. Men who are willing to stand up for the Lord, here in prison, a place where it is not popular to do so.
I have been incarcerated for 19 years. I can now look around me at all this constantine/barbed wire, steel and concrete, and know that this is all temporal; and even in the midst of all this uncertainty - I AM THRIVING!!! Because my eyes and trust is in the Lord, I am "... as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when HEAT cometh, ... the proving of my faith being much more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be tried by fire, ... but her leaf shall remain green, and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit."
Here in this prison, I let my light "...so shine.." before all these men because I understand that "... the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life and he that winneth souls is wise." I have shared all this with you - the words of my testimony to say:
I recently came across a book entitled " The Spiritual Man" by a a man named Watchman Nee. I only had the book a very short while (perhaps a week) before having to return it. I read very quickly as much as I could. My heart was so blessed by what was said. I must read this book again.. and again.. and again!! I wrote down your address in hopes that I could somehow find a get a copy of this book. I regret that I am indigent and have no other way to purchase this book. It is my hope that you, the publisher, perhaps may have a damaged copy that you would be willing to send to me. How I pray that this might be so.
Now, "... the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all" Amen
His Workmanship,
JR |
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