Some tales that get started are unbelievable. One time a guy came to visit me and stopped at a store down the road to ask questions. The owner told him that I was a reclusive multi-billionaire and that I flew into Honey Lake in a helicopter once a week.
Huh?
Another rumor that got going all around the county was that I was building 3000 units of government subsidized low cost housing on Honey Lake and some of the neighbors were understandably up in arms about that one.
Huh?
Lately several are saying that we are closing Honey Lake and one father even went as far to boast to a friend of mine that his daughter’s wedding would be the last ever conducted at Honey Lake.
Huh?
Where does this stuff come from? Fertile imaginations for sure. I’m not a multi-billionaire or even remotely close to being a billionaire; I don’t have a helicopter; I’m not building a low cost housing project and the thought of doing so has not ever crossed my mind; and I’m not closing Honey Lake down, (we are reducing the hours to weekends only and changing our business model some to make it more profitable).
So it came as no surprise to me when we decided to conduct a prison ministry event this weekend that rumors would begin to circulate. This time they were saying that we were conducting our event by using the good name and reputation of a large prison ministry organization and saying that it was being done under the umbrella of their organization.
Of course that was nothing but poppycock. The idea for our event was conceived when the warden asked me to come by and give my testimony. I agreed and told her that I would bring a few friends and me and several of my friends accepted and went over and did the event. At no time (to my knowledge, did anyone mention any other organization).
In spite of the sniping it was a glorious event. We ended up with 105 volunteers and I’m told that approximately 705 inmates prayed the sinner’s prayer that weekend and all of them were ministered to and prayed over. God is so good.
I’ve been in prison ministry for many years and have found that satan is always lurking and trying to disrupt. He is the author of confusion and he brings out the worst in people. Again, why someone would want to make stuff like that up is beyond me. We were just trying to glorify God’s name and bring some hope to some people who desperately need it. We succeeded and satan lost this one in spite of them.
I’ve grown accustomed to it and I know that anytime someone sticks their head above the clover someone is going to try and blow it off. I try to avoid such people and ignore their ignorant remarks. I also try my utmost not to engage in gossip. The Bible states that it’s a sin because it serves no useful purpose and is destructive.
Listen, if they will talk about others they will talk about you too.
One lady wrote in part about this weekend:
“I was privileged to join you, the wonderful folks with Sonshine Ministry, and the Holy Spirit Himself at the Corrections Facility at Gadsden County Saturday. This first venture with prison ministry was truly amazing. God was present, in a palpable way.
Thank you for spreading the word through your WFTD. My sister-in-law and I both read it and felt led to join the ministry. Although this was w-a-a-a-a-y out of my comfort zone, I’m grateful for the chance to have been a part. Talking with the women, one-on-one, sharing God’s love with them, and seeing how He was already working in the lives of many, was something that will be with me forever. The team delivered the Word with maximum energy, and in real-life terms, and I believe the women really felt connected. At least, all the women I talked with personally did. Several mentioned your testimony in particular, and were interested in reading your book.
Our pastor spoke on Fear recently. Did you know that the most common imperative in the Bible is “Fear Not”? I was trying to put a finger on what I was most anxious about, regarding joining this prison ministry. I suppose it was a combination of fear of the unknown, fear of rejection, fear of not knowing the right thing to say. The fear evaporated moments after joining the group at the gate to the prison. I felt silly about having spent the energy being anxious. How humbling to have my human shortcomings revealed so often. When I let myself step aside, and opened the door for the power of the Spirit to direct me, things just flowed as they should. Please pray that I am able to carry this back to every-day life and routines!”
If you missed this event there will be other opportunities. Don’t let naysayers, fear, and the devil deprive you of your blessing. I enjoyed this weekend as much as I’ve ever enjoyed a prison ministry event, (even though my neck and back exerted maximum excruciating pain most of the day).
When I saw all of those inmates voluntarily coming in that prison yard I told Jack Murphy that the Holy Spirit has showed up in a big way and this would be a day to remember and it was. We anticipated having maybe 20-30 volunteers and ended up with 105. We went in the hole a little financially, but not that much, and I think that was probably the most inexpensive event to conduct that I’ve ever been on. It was marvelous and I’m so glad that God gave me the opportunity to be a part of making a difference in these ladies lives.
If you have an idea for glorifying God then please stick with it. Remember what the lady that attended this weekend said: “When I let myself step aside, and opened the door for the power of the Spirit to direct me, things just flowed as they should.” Step aside and let the Holy Spirit in.
Expect the naysayers and gossip mongers; expect some problems and for thing to run rough, but also expect a harvest from God that will make those small troubles disappear like the fog at high noon when you pull it off. Be a good soldier for the Lord and He will reward you with treasure that rust and moths cannot destroy! Amen!
Blessings and grace be with you!
1 Pet 4:12
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
February 2, 2015 – Click here to listen