I Was In Prison This Past Saturday

You never know what freedom is like until you've been to prison, even for one day. As I posted earlier, I had signed up to go with the Bill Glass Prison Ministry to one of two prison facilities in Bonham, TX this past Saturday. It was an interesting experience.

Let me give you the facts of the trip first:

There were 411 men and women who went as volunteers. Bikers, Professionals, you name the social status and it was represented. In fact there were so many volunteers that the ministry was turning people away! 300 went to the Choice Moore Unit, and 110 joined me at the Buster Cole State Jail Facility. There had to have been over 100 bikers there, (and yes, they call themselves bikers) with mostly Harleys, but there were some Hondas, and other Japanese bikes.

The speakers included Keith Davis of the New York Giants, Rich Garza, the Chaplain for the San Antonio Spurs, Another who's name escapes me at the moment, and Jack Meeks, the famous NASCAR driver, who brought the winning car from Daytona with him. There was a band that played most of the day, Namesake. If you hear that this band will be playing near you, I suggest you go see them. They were fantastic!

The main reason we were there was to tell them the Good News of Christ, and what it meant, and how to receive Christ and become a follower of Christ. I won't call it a success, but the final talley was 111 verbal commitments, surrendering to Jesus, 10 rededications and several who reconfirmed their faith. Now it is up to the chaplaincy to help these baby Christians grow in their faith.

Now, my personal experience went like this: when we were in Freshman training, I had the chance to ask the chaplain if he had any Wiccans, Pagans, or Druids on the site. He affirmed that he did, and that was the end of that, or so I thought. God did have a devine appointment for me I believe, because of the first two men I approached, one was a follower of Christ, and his bunkmate was Wiccan! I don't believe in coincidence. Now, Joshua, the Wiccan did not make a commitment to Jesus that day, but I believe that a seed was planted, just as one was planted in my heart 12 years ago. Joshua and I talked for most of the time I was there, and he did promise to read the Bible again, but with a fresh perspective.

I ask everyone who reads this to pray for him, for protection from the army of darkness that surrounds him and his family, to lift him up and for people to give him Godly counsel about this. In other words, let there be someone to water that seed planted. Two others I ask prayer for are Matthew and Austin.

So that is it for now. I will describe the actual feelings of being on the inside, if only for a day at a later time.

Until then, have a blessed day!

Going to Prison Part 2

I received my card in the mail telling me where I will be going on the 30th. I will be helping the Bill Glass Ministry at the Buster Cole State Jail facility in Bonham.

Again, I would like to ask all those who read this blog to pray for those on the inside to have receptive hearts, and be eager to listen to the salvation message that will be presented. I would also like to ask for prayer for good sunny weather (it will be held outdoors) and for a peaceful time at that unit.

Also, pray for me, for boldness in presenting the message if I am called upon to do so.

Thanks!

Eric

Going to Prison

So, did I get your attention? Good.
Yes, I am going to go to a prison unit, but not for a crime, and not to stay. I will be going with the Bill Glass Champions For Life Prison Ministry.



This is the first time I have done anything like this and I will have to admit, I am a little bit nervous. Nervous about talking about Jesus and possibly leading someone to Christ. Normally I am a very private person when it comes to my faith, but here I will be talking openly about faith, using the tools the ministry uses.

So I am asking for prayer as I get ready to do this on the 30th of this month. Pray that I will be used for God's purpose, to do whatever needs to be done for His glory and honor, and that the guys on the inside who will be there to hear the featured speakers will be open to receive what is said to them, and ready to make that commitment to Christ.

Thanks.

Soccer Practice -- My Youngest

I actually do like attending soccer practice with my girls. Not only does it give me time to watch their skills grow and mature, but it gives me time to take pictures of things in action. I wanted to share a couple of the ones I took yesterday.


I posted this to my JPG Page, and I had a comment on it this morning.

Nice style we could do with her on our team if she was a little older.

I couldn't be prouder.

Here is the other one of my youngest:


So there you have it. Another great day.

I am still attending the virtual conference. Have a great day!

Attending A Virtual Conference

Work can sometimes really be fun. Today, tomorrow and Friday, I am attending a web based virtual conference hosted by the SQL Server Worldwide User's Group. Using Twitter to do instant communication, the interaction almost feels like the real thing.

I am really glad to be doing this.

Hope everyone is having a good day.

Some Of My Pictures

Like I posted earlier, I have a new hobby, to replace the SCA...photography. I would like to share some of the better ones I have taken. I do ask that if you download them, please leave me a comment telling me. I do retain the copyright on all of them.

Thanks for understanding.

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Thanks again for viewing.  You can see more of my pictures at JPGMag.com.

What I Have Been Doing Lately Part 1

It's been quite a while since I have blogged. For that I apologize, especially to those who read my blog. I have been trying to do more things with my family, and trying not to let a new found hobby interfere with that, but most of the time, failing.

The new hobby I have is photography. It is something that all of us really like, from my daughters, to my wife and to me. It is especially something that my wife and I can share, and for that I am grateful.

But as with most things in my life, for just about all of my life, I tend to focus on one thing at a time and photography is no exception. There have been times when I would prefer taking pictures to interaction with my family. It is something I need to work on; putting the camera up and playing instead. It is something that I did tonight. One small step at a time. Thank God my wife has what seems to be unlimited patience with me. Any other woman would have had her fill.

We have a new church we are attending now. Woodcreek Church. A Bible based church that we all seem to love. My wife and I are going to their Discovery Class, learning more about what it means to join, and what it takes to join. I am very glad to have this back in our lives.

So that is it. In the next post I will be sharing some of my photos. I welcome you to take a look at the rest. You can find them by clicking on the title or clicking here.