Forgiveness is free.....

Good Friday services traditionally focus on the death and suffering of Jesus in our place. He died to pay the price for all the wrong-doings and rebelliousness of humanity against God. 

He didn't have to; he chose to. 

Out of love and the longing to have a relationship with each of us. Out of the need to break down the barriers caused by pride, selfishness, greed, anger, violence and turning away from God. Out of compassion for broken, fallen, hurting humanity.

He died in our place so we could be freely offered forgiveness, healing and reconciliation; a place with him in heaven.

What Jesus offers is beyond price but is offered to us freely. He has covered the cost.

Forgiveness is free - but it is not cheap.

Sometimes we gloss over the suffering Jesus went through in our rush to get to the wonders of being forgiven, offered a new start.

During our service people were invited to identify with and acknowledge their part in the price Jesus paid for our forgiveness by dipping a finger in red paint and adding their mark to a white cross (idea from Engage Worship). 

The image of the "bloodstained" cross and pile of "bloodstained" wet wipes was surprisingly powerful. It was my deeds that caused Jesus' blood to be shed; your deeds that nailed him to the cross. During the joy and hope of celebrating his resurrection from the dead three days later, being able to gaze also at the cross, streaked red by the good men and women of the congregation, helped emphasise that it was not a painless thing to pay the price that we owe.

Forgiveness is free. 

Forgiveness and hope are offered to anyone who accepts Jesus as Lord. 

Forgiveness is not cheap.

Connections

 Every second Wednesday I go into Drakenstein Maximum Correctional Centre to facilitate groups of guitar and ocarina learners. This music initiative stems from the prayers of one of the inmates a couple of years ago who asked God to send someone to help him read music. He attends the Tuesday Bible study and was surprised when it turned out that I knew enough about reading music to be able to help him. Since then we have been bringing music into the lives of many of the other inmates and frequently being reminded of how God takes an interest.

On Sunday we had "Lord we lift your name on high" at the church I attend. As we sang, I felt it would be a good song to take into Maximum for the guitar group.

Experience has taught me it's a good idea to act upon such feelings.

When he saw the sheets I'd brought, the inmate said that again God knows. He wanted to use the song for church in Maximum on Easter Sunday and was going to ask if I had the music.

Coincidence, or God making connections?

Not against flesh and blood

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12)

We're beginning to suspect that something/one is working against the Restoration course. People turn up at the introduction and sign up enthusiastically but then most fall away. Others are interested when Ashley talks to them on the streets but won't change their interest to action. Even the lady who turned up for session one was suffering from flu and had to go back home to lie down. It's as if everything is being done to prevent us completing a first course of six sessions as, if that happens, the doorway to real life and community change will be opened. If you need darkness to do your deeds then you'll do everything possible to thwart any sign of light.

The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5)

Last week we held the introductory session for women and five arrived, most with a history of problems with drugs. They left feeling hopeful that what we were offering would make a big change in their lives. Some were already working out who they wanted to reconcile with and would invite to the final session. One even said she'd definitely be at the next meeting, even if no one else was: later in the week her husband replied to a reminder Whatsapp by saying she would not be attending any more.

Then there are the men who were given first chance and said it was a great idea. They're still hanging around the streets, interested when Ashley talks to them but not brave enough to sign up to face themselves and change.

 

We'll keep turning up until we feel it's time to shake the dust from our heels and move on to a different area (Matthew 10:14) but it is sad to see opportunities lost.

Introduction Take 2

It is much easier to run a course when the participants have few other pulls on their time and no means of escape.

Our original two group members both now have jobs or occupations that mean their afternoons are no longer free. It's great that they're working. A job is hard to find under good circumstances, it's harder still if you have a criminal record, so I'm very pleased for them but it does leave our Restoration course without an essential ingredient - available participants.

Time for option two.

When Ashley first mentioned our plans at the support group for recovering addicts which he attends and he said the first course was just open to men, there was a bit of dissatisfaction from the women. They could see the benefit in what we were offering but we thought a mixed sex group would add an unnecessary layer of complication to the proceedings. Now, as the men came, said how interested they were, then couldn't fulfil their commitment, it's the turn of the ladies.

As I went along to the support group to talk about Restoration, it struck me that perhaps the women will be the key to change in the community. Who is the backbone? Who communicates most? Who has contact with children and the different layers of society? We talk about the ripple effect of crime. Let's hope that the women who come to learn about restoration will be at the start of a ripple effect of healing and change.

Restoration

 It's easy to pray, "Lord bring the right people to the meeting," but then to mumble, "Shouldn't there be more?"

Why do we often have the tendency to think that more is better? That things aren't worthwhile unless the numbers taking part are huge?

Jesus looks on the crowd as individuals, not on the individuals as just a crowd.

Two men braved the 40 degree (104F) heat to take part in the first day of our restoration course. One of them hadn't even been to the introductory meeting last week. He was the one who thanked Ashley and me so wholeheartedly at the end of the session for giving up our time to show him things he hadn't thought of before; and being willing to listen. He was the one who, after we'd played Elvis Presley singing In the ghetto to illustrate the cycle of crime through the generations, said, that was his life. He wants to break the cycle of drug abuse, crime and prison; to give his children a better role model to follow; to learn how to be that role model.

Music is a great key for unlocking feelings and understanding. During the introductory meeting we played Gungor's Beautiful Things, acknowledging the pain that's all around but declaring our faith in the fact that God can grow beautiful things from wasteland. He sees beyond what we are to who we could be, who we were created to be. He can make it happen.

I thank God for the two men, the right men for this time, that he sent.

Pray for them, their commitment and growing understanding.

Fish and chip shop by the church
where we meet - good positioning!

Introduction

 It's a privilege to be involved in the Restorative Justice process within prisons. Lives are changed, attitudes challenged and relationships restored. However, it would be far better to reach people before they were incarcerated, before so many lives were broken. Many inmates, some of whom have been in and out of prison since a young age, have said, "If only someone had told me these things years ago, my life would have been very different."

On Monday I joined my friend Ashley (once an effective gang recruiter and drug dealer, now living a completely changed life for Jesus, often in prison but this time as a spiritual worker, not inmate) and we met gang members in his community to invite them to join us in six sessions of encounter (with self, others and truths), repair (of relationships) and transformation (of thinking and behaviour).

Our vision is to hold these gatherings one by one in the different gang territories around Wellington, exposing as many people as possible to the idea that there is a different way to live, a better way to think, and a chance to lead a life not determined by violence, fear and destruction. That's the long term aim - Monday was the first step.

I was a little perturbed in the morning to see heavy rain and thunder forecast for the time we hoped men would be walking to the church hall where we'd be meeting. What could be done? Pray that God would reschedule the rain slightly so that possible participants wouldn't be put off. 

Whilst I waited at the hall that afternoon, watching heavy dark clouds move slowly across the mountains as they advanced over the town, I couldn't help thinking of the darkness that imprisons so many of those who live there. There wasn't a opening in the cloud so a cliched beam of sunlight shone down to spot-light the hall but there was a sense of God's power moving and lightening the darkness. Later I was listening to O Gracious Light a track on Resound Worship's album Downcast Souls, Expectant Hearts. The line that stood out was "Even this darkness is not too dark for you." That's what I felt.

The rain didn't fall until all the men were safely inside the hall. Then it came down with a vengeance.

Five teenagers took shelter in the doorway. Ashley called them in and invited them to join the group. When I questioned the wisdom of mixing these youngsters with the eight older men, he told me the boys were already gang members. They needed to hear what we had to say just as much as the adults did. 

Earlier, as I waited outside before the meeting started, I watched the schoolchildren on their way home. An 11 year old girl came up to chat to me.

 "Why are you here?" she asked. 

"I've come with Oom (uncle) Ashley to talk to people."

"People here aren't lekker [nice/right]," she answered, looking concerned at my choosing to be in her neighbourhood when I could have been somewhere else.

Pray for God's blessing upon this venture as a contribution towards change in the community so that 11 year olds aren't worried for adults who visit their neighbourhood and adults aren't concerned that 11 year olds think their best prospects lie in joining gangs.

Life lessons in music classes

There are so many things that can be learned in a music class.

Not just the obvious, how to play an instrument, but skills that can have a huge effect on how a person lives his/her life.

I started the guitar classes at Drakenstein Maximum because I know that being able to play an instrument can help you through difficult times.  Emotions can be expressed and relieved, confidence can be built up; if you're willing to put in the practice you will improve, whatever your initial innate talent.

Many incarcerated men have a misguided opinion of their abilities. They either think they're not worth anything much (as that's what they've been told most of their lives) or they think they're the bee's knees, the one on top. 

Learning an instrument is a great leveller. It takes work and dedication (channelling Roy Castle on "Record Breakers" and showing my age here). If it's approached full of pride and entitlement it won't necessarily make the sounds demanded. There are very few shortcuts (and so much of crime is about taking shortcuts). These benefits are even before the taking the choice of practice pieces into account. In my classes, though my own musical tastes are wide, the songs I take in to Maximum are about Jesus. They're often chosen according to chords learned or notes available on the ocarina but still give opportunities to discuss what they mean.

There's something about the sessions that brings out the best in the inmates. The more proficient will help the beginners or those struggling. Bridges are crossed, relationships made and another way of living is learned.

In a place of so much darkness, fear, cruelty, selfishness, misery and despair, I thank God for this opportunity for light, joy, sharing, achievement and creativity shine through.

Ocarinas

 Delightful is not a word often associated with ten inmates of a maximum security prison but this week it was definitely appropriate.

I've been facilitating a basic guitar class in Drakenstein Maximum for a couple of years now. Kind people have donated enough guitars for six men to take part at a time but there are always more who want to learn than can be accommodated. A guitar is a wonderful instrument but isn't cheap and the inmates can't take it back to their rooms to practise - all donated Maximum guitars are kept under supervision by the officer in charge of "life skills" classes. 

I've seen the joy that comes from being able to make music, the sense of achievement when a man who has often been told that he's worthless or stupid is able to change chords smoothly and accompany others to the end of a song. Anything wholesome that offers an outlet for emotion, that helps develop a sense of self and hope in the ability to change is worth providing. In South Africa, what used to be prisons are now called correctional centres. Music can play a big part in helping the men who go in as criminals come out as men with a better chance to live different lives as changed people.

I wanted to provide more men with the opportunity to learn an instrument which they could carry around with them and practise. It had to be simple, inexpensive, fairly indestructible, portable and difficult to convert into a weapon.

Enter the ocarina. 

I've never seen as many smiles on the faces of inmates or passing officials in Maximum as I did during our first ocarina lesson. Surprise, joy and a sense of achievement were the predominant emotions as each man discovered that even he could produce a nice sound and different notes. They're concentrating on mastering the lower notes to start with - less chance of annoying others with excruciating squeaks - so the room murmured as if a parliament of owls was in session. When they moved on to simple tunes it was as if the sun was shining from that classroom. 

The image of tattooed men in orange uniforms playing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on green and blue plastic ocarinas with such a sense of achievement and happiness will stay with me for a long time.

Restorative Justice Allandale

All Restorative Justice weeks are the same.

All Restorative Justice weeks are different.

Every time the Hope Prison Ministry RJ team arrives at a Correctional Centre we know we're going to hear heartbreaking accounts of childhood neglect, abuse, wrong choices and horrendous actions. We're going to see men who are now incarcerated and weighed down by the deeds they have done, the crimes they've committed. They put on the personna of a hard man, tough gangster, but often they can't sleep at night and when no one is listening, sob into their pillows because of how far astray their lives have gone. There is so much pain, so many lies.

Every time the Hope Prison Ministry RJ team arrives at a Correctional Centre we know we're going to experience the amazing way that God reaches into the lives of these men, individually. Not all of them see the truth by day one but by day five it is a rare man who has not been affected. Respect, patience and truth pierce the barriers erected by fear and ignorance. We "shine the light inside" as one man said this week. We show them things they'd never thought of before and so many of them respond by committing to change their own lives and spread the lessons they've learned in their families and communities.

Many of the men had pleaded "not guilty" in court to a crime they knew they had committed. After listening to some very courageous women who spoke openly about the effects of the crimes committed upon them, many confessed that they were guilty of crimes that no one knew about (apart from the victims). They had come to the point where they realised the lasting pain their actions caused, that victims want to hear the truth and that telling the truth would also set them free. Now they wanted to proclaim the truth and be free, despite still being behind bars.

We could see the physical difference between the heavily laden, fearful men who came to us on Monday and the lightened, smiling men who were able to face their families and speak the truth at the Family Restoration Day on Saturday. It wasn't easy for them: the process is very confrontational but the person that has to be confronted is themselves. There were many tears as they responded to the questions their families asked: "Are you guilty?" "Why did you do it?" "How long is your sentence?" "When are you coming back, we need you at home?" One man was even reunited with his 84 year old mother whom he hadn't seen for ten years. Watching him help her with her food at lunch time was truly humbling as we saw more of what God can do.

This is the way restoration starts. The "friends" that encouraged inconsiderate and criminal behaviour were nowhere to be seen. The families who had been hurt again and again by selfishness, theft and violence were the ones who visited and declared their continuing love and forgiveness for the offender. They were given the truth at last and despite the tears they could recognise this was the offer of a new beginning. 

One of the speakers who came in to speak about the devastating and wide-ranging effects of the murder of her father compared the RJ course and incarceration to the half-time talk in a game of rugby or football. The mistakes of the first half are acknowledged and analysed; a new strategy is developed which should lead to a better second half if implemented. The men are at their half-time and all were grateful for the chance to have a better second half.

They showed their gratitude at the Family Restoration Day on Saturday, not only by speaking the truth but by presenting a song to their families and the ministry team which they'd prepared by themselves. Every single man took part as they began by singing "Hallelujah" then "Thank you Jesus" then humming an accompaniment as one man rapped, acknowledging on behalf of them all the pain and heartbreak each had caused by his evil deeds and bad choices, how sorry each man was and how much he had learned in the past week about the need for repentance, change and restoration.

The change is heartfelt, the intentions are real. We pray that God will guide and give strength and courage to each man as he tries to make amends and better choices in the future.

Please click on the video below to hear the men.

Forgiveness

 In the past few weeks I've been leading discussion classes on forgiveness during the Bible studies in Maximum and Medium A at Drakenstein Correctional Centre. We've been going through R T Kendall's book 40 Days to Total Forgiveness. It's informative, biblical and challenging, and recommended by men in both Maximum and Medium to whom I gave copies months ago after I'd first read it myself. One of them in Maximum said that he had been dwelling on thoughts of revenge and murder of those who'd put him inside (innocently, he says). He regularly attends our Tuesday Bible studies and last week said that it was only the book and the teaching he'd received on Tuesdays that have helped him to see that if he truly follows Jesus then he has to forgive.

Last Tuesday one of the regulars (I'll call him Jacques, which isn't his real name) in Medium had his own story to tell. He'd "graduated" from the class in Maximum and has been a follower of Jesus for about five years. Before that he'd been (by his own admittance) one of the worst types of gangster: you name it, he's done it. In prison he met Jesus and changed in character and appearance so much that even his own mother didn't recognise him when she came to visit.

When Jacques was outside he had often been shot but once was particularly bad and the hospital actually declared him to be dead (the visions he was given at that time are a story for another time). Since then he'd searched for the man who'd shot and "killed" him but hadn't been able to find him. 

Then one day a man in the prison mentioned the shooter's name and asked if he was looking for him. The answer was yes. Then the other man revealed that he was the one who'd fired the gun.

 By this time Jacques had accepted Jesus as his Lord and Saviour. Even so, the news that he was standing in front of the man he'd sworn to kill was shocking. He felt physically affected and knew that he had a choice - should he fulfil his vow and kill the man or should he follow his Lord and forgive him?

Jacques told the other man he needed a little time. He went to sit in an office and wrestled with the decision he had to make. The old nature was fighting with the new, Christ-given man.

Jacques left the office, went up to the other man and told he was forgiven. There would be no repercussions. Jesus had forgiven Jacques so much and Jacques had made the decision to follow him, whatever the cost.

There could have been so much violence and bloodshed that day but instead there was peace and forgiveness. Jacques and the shooter became very close friends. Jacques became like a brother to him and met his family when they visited the prison. 

Until the man was released, shot and killed by gangsters in his district.

Working in prison shows you how we're not messing about. We really are dealing in matters of life and death. "Safer" societies don't realise how important are the questions: "Who is Jesus?" and "What should be our response to him?" 

We always think we have time.

Judges

Read the final chapters of the book of Judges in the Bible and tell me how men think about women.

Get involved in prison ministry and find out how many women are in prison as a direct or indirect result of the way men have treated them. Compare it to the number of males incarcerated because of their own deeds.

We live in a fallen, broken world. Hurting people hurt people. The strong take advantage of the weak. People are searching for love and acceptance and will often take whatever measly scraps they are offered, whatever the price.

How do we move away from this when we live in a world where people do "whatever seems right in their own eyes"?

 

Do you accept Jesus?

If you ask someone why it’s important to know Jesus what might they answer?

There are so many reasons but the most important is that what Jesus teaches is true. 

“God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17)

“I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to [God] the Father except through me.” (John 14:16)

Jesus knows you. He knows the insecurity inside; the desire to be valued for who you are, not for what you own or what you’ve done or how you’re involved in the lives of others. He knows you. He loves you despite your mistakes and inadequacies, despite all the things you’ve done or used to numb the pain of living. You have nothing to prove to him. He wants to be by your side through life, helping you become the person he knows you could be. He wants to be able to spend eternity with you so much that he died to make it possible.

Will you admit you can't get it right by yourself? 

Will you accept his invitation?

Do you know Jesus?

Do you know Jesus?

How would you respond if someone asked you that?

Would you feel affronted? - It's none of your business. My faith is a private matter and nothing to do with you or anyone else.

Would you feel panicky? - I know I have to have some opinion about Jesus but I haven't worked out what that is yet. I wish you'd just leave me alone.

Would you doubt the relevance of the question? - Didn't Jesus, an obscure Israelite, die two thousand years ago after making some claims to be God which no intelligent modern-thinking person gives any time to? What does it matter whether I "know" him or not?

Or do you reply, "Of course I do. He's my Lord and Saviour; the one who makes sense of the world, who helps me become the person I was designed to be, who can rescue me from all that enslaves me, who loves me despite my mistakes and will see me safely home when I die."

"Do you know Jesus?" is one of the most important questions that every human being will face. The other is, "Have you accepted Jesus as your own Lord and Saviour? Do you acknowledge him as Son of God and the only one who can clear your way to a right relationship with God?"

In today's world we try to push the questions aside, sweep them under the carpet as irrelevences or impertinences - it's part of the lies we've been told and unfortunately, the behaviour of many of those who claim to follow Jesus has done nothing to attract others to his way.

Faith in Jesus is a very personal thing. Every single soul will have to answer the question for him or herself. It doesn't matter a jot if your parents, siblings or children have a strong faith: when you stand before God after death he will be asking you about your choices. Your relatives will face their own question - God has no grandchildren or cousins; he only has sons and daughters.

Faith in Jesus is not a private thing. Following his way should have an impact on every part of your life - thoughts, attitudes, speech and actions. The way you live should make it obvious that you unashamedly follow Jesus' way and not the world's. You should be different: not in a "holier than thou" way but in the same way that a stranger is different, living in the world but not being of it, an ambassador for a different kingdom, not a native.

When someone askes you whether you know Jesus, don't see it as a desire to convert you to gain numbers and kudos. Don't see it as an impertinence. See it as genuine concern that you will seriously consider your position regarding him while you are still breathing; while you still have time. 

God doesn't force himself upon us. He invites; he provides opportunities; he wants to shower us with good things but it is up to us whether we accept his offers or not. Once we die he respects our decision about Jesus. Live following him in this world and the next will be a glorious restoration of earth as it was before mankind's rebellion broke everything. Live rejecting Jesus and that is the decision that will be honoured after you die. The place of torment and deolation, the place far from any of the good things God has created, is a dreadful prospect, yet it is not inevitable. 

If someone askes you, "Have you accepted Jesus?" and you can't answer yes, ask them why it's such an important question and, for the love of God, listen to the answer.