January 29, 2013

  • Mixed Signals

    I am in prayer for guidance, patiently waiting to hear that now-familiar voice of My Lord and Savior.  Sometimes the greatest blessings come in times of waiting like this one; but God knows I am most uncomfortable when I am unsure of what He wants me to do.

    Today I went to the Parke County Sheriff's Office as I have done annually since 2003 to register as a convicted sex offender.  Because of many changes to Indiana's laws lately, the registrar is unsure about whether or not this was the last time I am required to register.  I assured her it is worth the tension and the fifty dollars fee to me to come back next year just to make sure I remain in compliance.

    Wednesday I was ecstatic to learn that the 7th District US Court of Appeals had overturned the 2008 Indiana law which prohibited convicted sex offenders from using online social media such as Facebook as unconstitutional and "too broad" in its scope.  I had shut down my Facebook account as soon as I learned of the 2008 law; and I started a new one as soon as I heard the law had been shut down.  Already many of my friends and relatives have claimed me as one of their Facebook friends.

    Ah, but there's still a problem.  A friend directed me to Facebook's Statement of Rights and Responsibilities (which by the way I had to Google just to find) and there I found that Facebook itself prohibits "convicted sex offenders."  So, once again I'm caught between my "legal status" and the true fact I have never actually sexually offended against anyone!

    If you're reading this situation for the first time, here's the short version why I'm in this situation:  1. I was falsely accused of child molesting.  2.  I could not prove that I did not commit this offense.  3.  My co workers -- or at least several of them -- were absolutely convinced of my guilt and understandably demanded my incarceration.  4.  After much time in jail praying, asking the Lord to send a good defense attorney who would get me clear of this false charge, the Lord Jesus clearly spoke to me, telling me to "submit to the governing authorities" in order to bring about peace.  5. In obedience to the Lord Jesus, I entered into a plea agreement with the Prosecuting Attorney resulting in my legal status as a convicted sex offender.  6.  I spent three years in prison during which the Lord provided me with His best Bible College education for which I had long been praying.  7.  As part of my after release Probation, I was required to undergo a polygraph exam to show I was complying with the rules of Probation.  Instead, I was given a Sexual History Polygraph exam which demonstrated to all the professionals involved that I had told the truth when I denied molesting any children.  8.  This has changed the attitudes of law enforcement officers toward me; but it has NOT changed my legal status as a convicted sex offender.  9.  The Lord has given me new marching orders: "No longer allow your good to be spoken of as evil!"  10.  This last has set the agenda for my online activities, telling my personal stories, blogging, teaching and counseling.

    I'm posting this now so that my Facebook friends should not be surprised if my Facebook account goes away again.  Satan is the author of confusion and the father of all lies!  But my Lord Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever!  No doubt many will have scripture- based advice for me; but only as He leads me and prompts me to do, I will do.

     

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