JAIL & COUNTY JUVENILE FACILITY Archives - Kathleen's Faith Walk: Recent Episodes
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An extraordinary experience from my former days doing prison ministry: An inmate in my Bible study was transferred to a state prison. A few weeks later he wrote the following: “I was talking with one of the prison guards whom … Continue reading →
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A special memory from my years doing jail ministry: I was having Bible study with a group of incarcerated teens when one 16-year-old asked if he could speak with me privately after we finished. Later he told me he is … Continue reading →
The post Teen Wants to Become a Father appeared first on Kathleen's Faith Walk.
A story from my years doing jail ministry: One evening at the jail I discovered the prisoners in the women’s unit were in lockdown because of disorderly conduct. Those wanting a Bible study would not be permitted out of their … Continue reading →
The post Prisoners in Lockdown appeared first on Kathleen's Faith Walk.
An important lesson from my days doing jail ministry: We had just finished singing about bringing the “sacrifice of praise to the Lord,” when a 16-year-old incarcerated youth asked a question. “I don’t get it. Why would singing praises to … Continue reading →
The post Praising God is a Sacrifice? appeared first on Kathleen's Faith Walk.
Can praying together hold a marriage together? Perhaps. It seem that most incarcerated teens are from single-parent homes—but not all. One night at the juvenile facility, a 17-year-old was grieving over disappointing his parents by getting into trouble. “They are … Continue reading →
The post Praying Together, Staying Together appeared first on Kathleen's Faith Walk.
Here’s a precious memory from my years doing jail ministry: One night I was doing a Bible study with two men in county jail who were enemies.They were in the medical unit, as one had a broken leg and the … Continue reading →
The post Enemies in County Jail appeared first on Kathleen's Faith Walk.
A special memory from my years doing jail ministry: I was leading a Bible study with incarcerated teens. There was a new kid in my group—he’d just turned 14. The others were 17. Three years is a big difference with … Continue reading →
The post How Do You Know the Bible’s True? appeared first on Kathleen's Faith Walk.
A memory from my years ministering to teenagers: Jake was a 16-year-old in my Bible study at the juvenile hall. He said for weeks that he didn’t believe in hell or Satan, but he was with us on everything else. … Continue reading →
The post I Don’t Believe in Hell OR Satan appeared first on Kathleen's Faith Walk.
A precious memory from my years doing ministry with teens: I was leading a Bible study in Oakwood 4 – a wing at the juvenile hall. There I met 17-year-old Mario who wanted to turn his life around and follow … Continue reading →
The post I Was So Worried appeared first on Kathleen's Faith Walk.
A special memory from my days doing jail ministry: One evening after Bible study at the jail, an inmate asked if she could talk with me privately. Judy told me her 15-year-old son had experienced repeated sexual abuse by the … Continue reading →
The post Sexual Abuse appeared first on Kathleen's Faith Walk.
I was doing Bible study with a prisoner who told me she often has sleep paralysis. When this occurs she feels she’s awake. Her hearing is keen, yet she cannot move any part of her body. She cannot even open … Continue reading →
The post Sleep Paralysis appeared first on Kathleen's Faith Walk.
Nine incarcerated teenage girls walked into Bible study cursing and acting obnoxious. I raised my voice, “If you don’t want to be here, you may leave NOW! Who wants to be excused?” They quieted down. I avoided eye contact with … Continue reading →
The post Teenage Girls Incarcerated appeared first on Kathleen's Faith Walk.
An important teaching during my years doing Bible ministry with incarcerated teens:
Incarcerated teens who come to Bible study often make a decision to follow Jesus. Yet many of them have a habit of cursing and they want help in overcoming this habit. Here is my teaching:
It’s important to clean up your language. When we swear we sling words around because we are frustrated or angry. Usually the words relate to two things: (1) Spiritual (God) or (2) Bodily Functions (sex act or elimination).
Think about it. Curse words refer to a Person or activities that are very real and very necessary to our existence. Without God we wouldn’t be here. Without sex we wouldn’t be here. Without bodily elimination we’d die!
Moreover, when we use the word “God” or “Jesus” in a disrespectful way, we are breaking the Third Commandment. Is this the way we want to honor God?
God’s Word says, “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name.”—Deuteronomy 5:11, Exodus 20:7. It’s serious. In fact, God placed this commandment above adultery and murder on His list.
Is it necessary to shout Cr__ or Sh__? Both are slang for feces. Why would anyone want to yell about feces? How about the pi_s word? Why yell about urine? It’s senseless.
Plan now what you will say the next time you feel frustrated or angry. How about a simple, “Oh No!” The Bible says, “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’ Anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Practice now—so you are prepared in advance. You could even try, “Oh Dear! Oh My! Oh Boy!”
Does swearing impress people? Yes. It gives a bad impression.
You become unpleasant to be with.
It reduces the respect others have for you.
It’s a sign a bad attitude.
It is immature and disrespectful.
It reflects ignorance and shows your vocabulary is limited.
Swearing is lazy language and lacks imagination.
It offends people.
It shows lack of character.
It turns discussions into arguments.
Even if your friends swear, you will be perceived as more mature, intelligent and polite if you control your language.
It’s your choice: Do you want to be considered crude and rude?
Or, do you want to have character and class?
- All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’ Anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:37
- Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. Ephesians 5:4
- Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. James 1:26
- With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. James 3:9-10
- SEVEN TIMES A DAY – By Kathleenhttps://www.kathleensfaithwalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/08-Track-8.mp3
This life is temporary. This life is short. When this life is over, our bodies will die and become empty shells, but our souls will continue to live forever. Where will the “real you” live? Will you live for all eternity separated from God? Or will you spend eternity in the presence of God in heaven? Learn more so you can make your most important decision: http://www.godlife.com/gospel/ and http://www.godlife.com/en/about-christianity [To leave a comment or prayer request, simply click on the TITLE of this post and scroll to the bottom.]
The post Clean Up Your Language! appeared first on Kathleen's Faith Walk.
A remarkable story from my years doing jail ministry:
There was a precious 22-year-old in my Bible study at the county jail. Kimberly was unusually attractive, with the look of fresh innocence. She rarely smiled, but I was drawn to her sweet spirit.
She came faithfully every week for five weeks. Her serious eyes would listen and she’d ask deep questions, but she was fearful of giving her life to Jesus.
One evening I had an opportunity to speak with her privately: “Kimberly, I believe someday you will decide you are ready. When that happens, you won’t need me. Just talk to God in your own words, even from your bunk. Tell God you want His forgiveness. Let Him know you realize you cannot live the Christian life on your own power. You need the Holy Spirit to come in and change you. Pour out your heart to Him. He loves you.”
The next week Kimberly came to class smiling and bubbling with joy. I knew immediately she was different. “What happened to you?”
“I did it! Last Friday night on my bunk I cried out to God and asked for forgiveness. I have been happy ever since—and I have peace! I don’t know why I waited so long!”
Kimberly continued to come weekly until her release a few months later. She grew in her walk with God and the transformation was genuine.
A few months later I received a phone call from a friend. She said her niece, Kimberly, had spent several months in jail. “Ever since her release her parents have been astounded at her change. She’s happy. She’s working. She’s even going to church! Kimberly gives all the credit to Jesus Christ, who came into her life while she was in jail. She told her mom she had attended Kathleen’s Bible Study while in jail. I wonder…are you that Kathleen?”
I could hardly speak as I listened to her message. I loved that girl and I praise God that she is continuing to walk with Him.
- This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4
- SONG: I KNOW HIM by Kathleen:https://www.kathleensfaithwalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/03-Track-3.mp3 _____________
[This life is temporary. This life is short. When this life is over, our bodies will die and become empty shells, but our souls will continue to live forever. Where will the “real you” live? Will you live for all eternity separated from God? Or will you spend eternity in the presence of God in heaven? Learn more so you can make your most important decision: http://www.godlife.com/gospel/ and http://www.godlife.com/en/about-christianity [To leave a comment or prayer request, simply click on the TITLE of this post and scroll to the bottom.]
The post Inmate – Look of Fresh Innocence appeared first on Kathleen's Faith Walk.