November 24, 2011

• Thankful!

  Try to imagine how improbable it seemed to hear the voice of The Holy Spirit of God say: "I will make you a world-wide ambassador of my Kingdom!"

  I was in prison for a crime I did NOT commit but which, by the despicable nature of the accusation, marked me for life in the minds of many people.  I still had some few lingering doubts about why God was allowing this outrage to happen to me.  Many people were telling me I had gone off the deep end of religion, carrying my New Testament everywhere I went and telling folks God was now calling me "Jerusalem" Hill.

  BUT by then it was very clear to me that the LORD had answered my prayers that He send me to His "best Bible college!"  As a prisoner Bible colleges and seminaries had sent me many textbooks to study and courses to complete by correspondence.  I had completed the equivalent of a Bachelor's degree in Biblical Christianity and was studying at the Master's degree level in Christian Counseling.

  By then I was actually comfortable in my personal conversations with the Holy Spirit of God.  By then I could say and write to my family without a blush that "the Lord Jesus Himself is now my best, closest personal friend.  I no longer feel alone and isolated."

  By then I was ministering to other prisoners and even to some Corrections staff in a way "outsiders" simply cannot do.  I wrote letters for fellow inmates who couldn't write but who had come to trust me to keep their most intimate thoughts private and confidential.  I led men in nightly Bible studies and taught them to receive and to know Jesus -- the LIVING Jesus -- and to walk by faith in Him.  And I had the physical protection of angels, some of whom were men of fierce and criminal reputations.

  Then, when I was released from prison in October, 2002 I began a period of Probation, Supervision and neighborly scrutiny to put it politely, which in a very large sense is still going on.  There were many restrictions in those earlier days.  But the only one still in effect today is a legal limitation to internet social networks which are largely visited by children.  And that one protects me!  (I often tell folks this truth: I am no danger to small children and have never been; but they actually are a danger to me.)  Beyond that, I am careful to avoid interaction with children whenever possible.  The LORD sent notable exceptions, for reasons which are now clear to everyone, good for them and good for me.

  The LORD also sent other "misfits" to me -- in some cases parents of the exceptions I mentioned -- that they might receive His grace more fully, through me and my teaching and my counsel.  Most of these became true friends.   And I do not discount the importance of this ministry. But this was and is a small and local ministry, and it always will be.

  Now, here on Xanga and other blogging communities I am amazed at the feedback I get from all over the world!  The LORD prepared me and taught me and now leads me to respond to questions and requests for prayer world-wide, just has He declared to me that He would do!

  There are so many things I am thankful for...  Eternally grateful for!  But now here and today I feel especially thankful for this realized and manifest promise of God!  May the LORD continue to bless all who may read my blogs and ask me spiritual things until the beautiful end which He has planned for me.

   

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  • 9:06 am
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