packing for an ego trip

OiBoyz · 07-13-2009, 04:16 AM

Someone suggested I start a blog. I have no idea why. Does this mean I have to come up with something interesting to write?

I've already shared a bit about myself in my introduction topic, and my Stupid Newbie Question topic. What else can I tell you about myself?

I guess I'll start off by saying how much I enjoy this forum. I've been here about a month now, and I've "met" some really nice, helpful, people. In fact, I was thinking the other day what nice fellowship I've found here, when it hit me...

A few months ago I had been asking God to help me find some good fellowship, and I believe this forum is part of His answer to prayer. So, thanks, for the welcome.

OiBoyz · 07-14-2009, 12:02 AM

I had an hour to kill this morning (that almost never happens!) so I took my camera out with me to try to find some interesting circular things to photograph.

I knew I wanted to try to get a wheel line, because I thought it would be unlikely that anyone else would have such a picture.

Finally found one. Wouldn't you know it? No matter how I tried, I couldn't get the barn with the stupid white roof out of the shot.

I might end up submitting that first one. Depends on if I can come up with anything more interesting before the deadline.

roscoestring · 07-14-2009, 04:09 AM

You sound very interesting to me.
I'll be curious to see what you have to say.
That white roof does sort of distract from you subject. Ho hum.
Nice camera work though.

OiBoyz · 07-14-2009, 12:33 PM

Thanks, Roscoe!

I've mentioned it on a couple of threads, I volunteer out at a local men's mimimum security prison. I've been going out there since Oct. 2005.

The guys that are there are there for all kinds of reasons, drugs, violent crimes, whatever. What they all have in common is that the are convicted felons, are within 3 years of release, and have passed the psych tests to be eligible for minimum security, and have enough good behavior to be in minimum.

When people I know find out that I go out (I don't generally mention it first) I get one of two reactions:

1) Oh that's so cool! What do you do out there?

2) Oh. Why do you want to go out there with those people?

Jesus commands us to go to people like this. These guys are all getting out. And sooner rather than later. They're going to live in your neighborhood, walk past your children's (or grandchildren's) schools. They're going to be the guy who pumps your gas, or takes your groceries out to your car. So ask yourself, do you want someone who is making some effort to change their lives? Or do you want that person sitting in a cage getting angrier and angrier?

I volunteer for two main reasons. I believe in the power of God to change lives. Not just for Eternal Life, but also here and now. I believe in His ability to help people have a second chance no matter what they’ve done in their lives. We all need His mercy and forgiveness. On a purely practical level, Inmates will some day be released. It’s in society’s best interest if they come out of Prison with a new direction. Jesus is the only One I know who can change hearts and lives.

The other reason is that Jesus said we should feed and clothe people, and visit them when they are sick and in prison. In fact, He says that if we do it to the least of our brothers, we’ve done it to Him. (Matthew 25: 31-46) In some way that I don’t pretend to understand, Jesus is in that Prison. I go there to meet with Him, and to serve my brothers in His name.

Plus, I just really enjoy my time out there.

When I started, I thought I would be doing Evangelistic stuff. But I've found that I'm doing way more Discipleship. Helping build up the guys who are actually doing the Evangelism in their dorms, and out in the Yard.

In future posts, I'll introduce you to some of the guys (changing names and not divulging any confidentiality.) To give you kind of a "face" to put with them, and maybe you'll feel moved enough to pray for them. They all live for their release date, but it's a scary time for them.

roscoestring · 07-14-2009, 02:35 PM

I was once a policeman and a deputy sheriff. I have seen what you are talking about. Most "criminals" that I had experience with were from families that could have cared less whether they lived or died. It is hard to face the world alone. When you're put in that position then you grab for anything that you can and hang on. Crime is easy and that's why a lot of these guys end up in prison.

I became a police officer thinking that I would change the world (or at least a little part of it). I don't think I ever changed anything though. I hope you are fareing better than did I.

OiBoyz · 07-14-2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roscoestring

I was once a policeman and a deputy sheriff. I have seen what you are talking about. Most "criminals" that I had experience with were from families that could have cared less whether they lived or died. It is hard to face the world alone. When you're put in that position then you grab for anything that you can and hang on. Crime is easy and that's why a lot of these guys end up in prison.

One of my guys (he shipped out several months ago) had a family past that left me speechless. Among other things, his parents provided him with meth and heroin. And sent him out to steal. He had found Jesus in prison. He was passionate about Him, and trying so hard to follow. He was so messed up, but was trying really hard to learn new ways, and to change. I haven't seen him for a while, and I never get to know what happens in the long run.

One of the guys I have in my groups right now "Andy" also has some serious issues. I never ask the guys why they are in. Sometimes they volunteer the information, but mostly they don't. But sometimes, my curiosity gets the better of me, and I google them. I couldn't figure out what this kid (he's young, can't be more than 21) could have done to get so many years.

Turns out, he's in for manslaughter. Of his father. I don't know the details, what I was able to find had more to do with his mother, who actually did the killing. The father was a violent monster, and for whatever reason she decided to kill him rather than leave. I don't know if "Andy" had anything to do with the killing, or if he just didn't stop it. He was 15 at the time. I heard the 911 call he made. He really did try to get someone to come before his dad was dead. It was chilling to hear the desperation in his voice.

The young man that I know today, is shy, funny, smart. He's a young Christian, but trying to find his way between walking with God and still being cool. He's got some great insights when I've talked with him about various bible passages. He's a good kid. I don't know what chance he ever really had to not end up in prison given the home life he was born to.

roscoestring · 07-14-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OiBoyz

He's a young Christian, but trying to find his way between walking with God and still being cool. .

Maybe if he were shown that walking with God IS cool.

When I was a teenager in high school I set my sights on following the right path. I decided that I would not smoke, drink, do drugs, have sex indiscriminately, steal, cheat, lie. I was frowned upon by my peers. I still held my ground.

After I grew up, got married, and had children and several years had gone by, when I would again see those "peers" they would always ask me how I was able to resist the temptation. They all told me that they wished that they had been able to resist. I once arrested a girl that I had gone to school with for growing about 75 pot plants on her back porch. I arrested many of my school mates for DUI or domestic violence related charges. I've arrested some for theft.

My best reward was when I opened up my daughter's journal and read one day. I didn't even know that she kept a journal. What she had written about was a comparrison between her frineds' parents and her parents. Hey, that's my wife and me! We had stayed married for her entire life where all of her friends parents were divorced. Some had been divorced more than once. She made note of the exciting lives that her friends parents lived. Goat (my wife) and me just always worked and came home. She always had a home to come home to and never be in fear of anything. I have never struck her mother. Nor have I ever been struck by her mother.

Point is that "walking with God" IS COOOOOOL! Doing the right thing IS COOOOOOOL!

OiBoyz · 07-16-2009, 03:21 AM

Overheard at work:

Quote:

She's as useless as a poop flavored lollipop.

You gotta admit. That's pretty useless.

OiBoyz · 07-17-2009, 02:44 AM

I have a lunch date with one of my best friends tomorrow. She and I used to work together, then she got fired. She's been through a tough year. She lost her job, then her boyfriend's cancer has come back. She recently got hired out at the prison. It's weird that I see her more out there than I do in town.

She's one of my best friends, but she doesn't know my Best Friend yet. She's seeking. Maybe that's what this year has been about.

OiBoyz · 07-18-2009, 12:18 PM

Had a wonderful worship time and bible study last night. I wasn't quite sure what we were going to do. Chaplain B. has put all of the inmate worship team members on time out to sort out some issues with individuals. He bought some worship DVDs to use for music during the interim as he works with them and does some teaching on worship. I think it's good.

I had been feeling a lot of frustration in it recently, without really knowing why. I had been praying for stuff in the area of leadership, or the lack thereof. And as a group we had been praying for direction. God provided both, and though I miss singing with the band. it's good.

So anyway, when they told me last week was going to be our last week playing until further notice, I told the guys that I'd still like to keep our band rehearsal call out time (an hour before bible study) and if they were willing to come in and NOT play, we'd be praying and worshiping before study. I really didn't know who would be willing to be there and "just" pray.

Everyone was there. Plus a couple other guys showed up to pray. We prayed for individual needs and various institutional needs. It was awesome.

During worship, I saw something that amused me. You know how most people do the air guitar thing. I saw an actual guitar player doing air guitar. But instead of flailing away with the right had like you usually see, he wasn't doing anything with his right hand. He was, however, doing all the fingering with his left hand.

OiBoyz · 07-21-2009, 02:33 AM

I've wanted to get a picture of this for a couple of years, but I never had my camera with me before today...

roscoestring · 07-21-2009, 04:03 AM

So where do the horses walk?

I was going through a small town in GA a few months ago when I saw a horse walking on the sidewalk. The rider was an older black gentleman who was talking on the cell phone. I just waiting for the GPS now.