An Attitude Adjustment by God...

Another article inspired post. New York Times just published an article on Prison Fellowship, Mark Early, and Pat Nolan this past weekend. Called Unlikely Allies on a Former Wedge Issue, it gives Mark's perspective on how crime is no longer an issue that separates Democrats and Republicans. In the recent years, it has come to be an issue that is more common-ground than anything. In light of the upcoming election, this article is definitely relevant.

On a more personal level, reading about Mark Early's former position as attorney general of Virginia, and how he began to reverse his previous stands is pretty powerful. Seeing the prisoners as real men, pushing for new laws to help them, and fighting for them instead of against them... Quite the transformation. He realized these were “not the Ted Bundys, the mass murderers” but “kids who reminded me of my kids, serving 5, 10, 15 years for drugs and going out and being rearrested again.”

I think his story, the irony and the dramatic change (or as he puts it, an "attitude adjustment by God"), shows the greatness of God. Pat Nolan, too. Former California legislator turned advocate on behalf of prisoners. Like the lives of so many of men this ministry touches, his changed when he found the reality of God in prison. “I went into prison believing in God, and I came out knowing him. I understood how much he loved us, even in a dark place.”

The stories of the changed lives is what keeps this ministry going. Testimonies from men who find forgiveness in Jesus while in jail. Women who find significance. Kids who find direction.

I was sitting at my desk today, working on whatever Tuesday afternoon usually brings, and I overheard some staff reading a couple letters from prisoners seeking help. The stories of these men would break your heart. All they want is to know someone cares. One man specifically wrote to get a penpal, "someone who will write me," because his family has no contact with him. This is what its about: helping people. People who no one wants to help. We need to realize Jesus loves them; no more, no less than any person sitting in a pew on Sunday morning. Yet, somehow we cant quite grasp that. Until we do, we have yet to truly, actively, love Him: "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

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Lessons for Today: 1.) The children's book Dad's In Prison is, according to the single review on Amazon, "...also fick enough to conceal a hacksaw or other small tool." Just in case you were wondering. 2.) In a Swedish manner, Im completely neutral in saying check out this article on Obama's plan to recruit evangelicals through promoting faith-based programs.