The Journey

The more that I strive to walk a mile in another man's shoes, the harder it is for me to judge him... We ALL have unique journeys, and we all have reasons for the choices that we make. Life is about finding common ground and uncovering WHY we really do the things that we do. (I have become fascinated in the "other" man's journey, and that has made ALL the difference.)

Letter from Angola

I am beginning work on my next project: "Letter from Angola." God has put it on my heart to write about everything I am presently learning from these fascinating men inside of our nation's correctional system (both inmates and free world men). I intend to tell the truth, although I know that the truth is rarely popular, and this time will be no exception... I wonder how many really want to know what it is like for these forgotten ones. The Master called them "the least of these." As I sat there in this cell (below) I considered the difference in my journey, being white and privileged, versus many who happen to be poor and minority. My story, exactly the way it was, would be MUCH different if I was simply born to different parents, in a different neighborhood... More to come.

Angola Weekend

A weekend I will never forget... Here is a pic of my actual accomodations for the weekend at Angola. I know I'll never really know what a man feels who lives on this death row, but maybe a "glimpse" of it will help me remain grateful for all that I have and realize that it's never too late, at least not while we still have breath. (By the way, I am NOT innocent-- I just never got caught.)

Walk a Mile

Preparing for my trip today down to Angola State Prison in Louisiana... In prison work, Angola ("The Farm") is like Mecca-- prison ministers go there to learn. This is now a model prison that was transformed from the bloodiest prison in the country by a warden named Burl Cain (home of the famous Inmate Rodeo). He believed that the inmates should be treated with dignity and respect and given lots of faith-based programming and many other activities-- and it worked. Now one of the safest prisons, Angola houses over 3500 life sentence inmates. We will be sleeping in former death row cells, and I will get just a glimpse of what a man must feel on his first night "inside." I can't wait to fill you in upon my return-- see ya soon.

Gratitude

I absolutely love what I get to do with my life. I spend all day making friends with people that the world is either scared of or mad at. Then we simply try to show them some light and leave them some hope. Maybe this is just a glimpse of what He felt a couple thousand years ago and still feels today... It's a good life.

Angola

I am preparing for my trip this week to Angola State Prison in Louisiana. Angola sits on 18,000 acres in rural LA and is known as "The Farm." It is bordered on three sides by the Mississippi River. It currently houses over 5000 inmates, 3500 of whom are doing life sentences. Once the bloodiest and most deadly prison in the country, now it is one of the safest. They raise their own crops, cattle, fish and make many other products and services... 120 free world volunteers will spend the weekend there, and the inmates will teach us. I will spend Friday night and Saturday night in the “Old Death Row Cell Block D” and actually sleep in a single death row cell. This should be an enlightening and life changing experience. Stay tuned...

Your Verse

Stay in the flow today... There is a natural order of things; the way that He designed it all. Look for open doors, answered prayers, the right people showing up with exactly what you need (trust it). There is the truth, and then there is everything else-- stay in the truth and everything will work itself out exactly the way it is intended to. No coincidents, no mistakes; the amazing play goes on and you and I get to contribute a verse... make your verse count today.

Hope is the New Dope.

Do you know where the word "Dope" comes from? Dopamine... A naturally occurring chemical in the brain, dopamine is released in the brain in response to "anticipated reward." Several illegal drugs, such as cocaine, trigger the release of dopamine (addicts are actually chasing the increased dopamine levels, rather than the ingested drug). What is Hope? "To cherish a desire with anticipation and expectation." (Seeking a reward) Studies show that "hope" triggers the dopamine release and heals the body... My point? "Hope really IS the new Dope."

Creation

What if we get to the “other side” and discover that it really is this simple: whatever I focus on expands; whatever I give my attention to and dwell on, I attract; whatever I think of and speak about, I begin to create… What if He designed everything this way and I have been co-creating my life all this time? (you'd be amazed to know that there are many teachings about these things in His book) Would that change what gets your valuable attention today? Would that change what you allow to roll around in your mind or come out of your mouth? Perhaps we should be very deliberate as to what gets our focus and holds it. Or not, it’s totally up to you.

Go For It

You can do WHATEVER you truly wish to do... If you believe you can do it, if you have the ability to focus on it with consistency, and are willing to do whatever it takes to make it a reality, then you CAN do it-- its always been that way-- you've created many things in your life. So, stop making excuses and just do it already: fill out the application, go volunteer, copyright that idea, file the patent, book the trip, ask her out, share the idea, write your book, take that all important first step... In the end, we will regret not so much the things we did, but rather what we DID'NT do. (Go for it-- life is short)

HOPE

Heading to Philadelphia tonight for meetings tomorrow with Kairos Prison Ministries International and HOPE Worldwide... We intend to lay the groundwork to establish new prison ministries all across the country in a host of churches not yet engaged. Both organizations do amazing things around the world for "the least of these." Two are better than one-- say a prayer for a Brother. ThePowerofPeace.org

Destiny

Today could be THE day... The day when EVERYTHING changes. Doors are opening; the big break is coming; prayers are being answered; what I seek is seeking me; the universe is conspiring on my behalf; my destiny awaits. It is on its way... I think I'll pay attention.

Focus

Focus, focus, focus... The more I learn, the more it appears that everything has to do with focus. What I focus on EXPANDS; what I focus on, my brain goes to work finding MORE of; what I focus on begins the "pull" of the law of attraction into my life: more of the SAME... So, what will I focus on today? I will make it my goal to focus on the things that the carpenter from Nazareth focused on: I will try to find His Father in EVERYTHING I see today.