April 12, 2011
Dear Friends,
The Gospel of John contains a lengthy account of the Passion of our Lord. John spends several chapters on events that took less than a day—from the Upper Room to the Cross of Calvary. We’ve just begun a study in John’s Gospel on Thursday nights at the Brig—we’ve only just finished chapter 1—so it will be several months before we get to these poignant chapters. These chapters start with the Triumphal Entry (which we celebrate this Sunday, Palm Sunday) and scores of people hailing Jesus as king. They end with Jesus alone on the cross (which Christians commemorate on Good Friday).
Of course, that’s not the end. Indeed, what ends on Good Friday begins anew on Easter Sunday, the Day of Resurrection. The Day of New Life. A Day so important that Christians celebrate it every week!
The events of Palm Sunday and Good Friday remind us how fickle we humans can be—praising God one day; ashamed of Him the next. And Easter Day reminds us of how good God is—He has not left us without a savior. God Himself is our Redeemer!
The men at the Brig are reminded daily of the fickleness of humans—as rules change sometimes arbitrarily, or are enforced differently by each guard. And they are also reminded of how good God is—for many of their fellow prisoners are imprisoned by sin as well as the walls and razor wire around them.
The changes at the Brig I’ve been writing about for several months now are still yet to come. The PNN (Prisoner News Network, not always reliable) says all the new guards will be in place by mid-May, and transferred prisoners will begin to arrive shortly thereafter. The Brig Staff, on the other hand, say it will take place in “two or three months”—the same answer I got two months ago. When I drove past the new wing (connected to the existing brig by only a hallway) last week, the front door was wide open. It seems safe to assume that won’t be the case once the prisoners move in.
Please remember the prisoners as they deal with changes and unknowns. Bruce is still waiting for an approved residence, along with Joe, who recently put his trust in the Lord Jesus. Remember also David, who has the most time remaining of anyone who attends the study. On the outside, Nate successfully completed his parole in Florida, and continues to walk closely with the Lord.
I always appreciate your prayers and donations, and look forward to hearing from you when you can.
Grace and Peace,
Ben Conarroe
Dear Friends,
The Gospel of John contains a lengthy account of the Passion of our Lord. John spends several chapters on events that took less than a day—from the Upper Room to the Cross of Calvary. We’ve just begun a study in John’s Gospel on Thursday nights at the Brig—we’ve only just finished chapter 1—so it will be several months before we get to these poignant chapters. These chapters start with the Triumphal Entry (which we celebrate this Sunday, Palm Sunday) and scores of people hailing Jesus as king. They end with Jesus alone on the cross (which Christians commemorate on Good Friday).
Of course, that’s not the end. Indeed, what ends on Good Friday begins anew on Easter Sunday, the Day of Resurrection. The Day of New Life. A Day so important that Christians celebrate it every week!
The events of Palm Sunday and Good Friday remind us how fickle we humans can be—praising God one day; ashamed of Him the next. And Easter Day reminds us of how good God is—He has not left us without a savior. God Himself is our Redeemer!
The men at the Brig are reminded daily of the fickleness of humans—as rules change sometimes arbitrarily, or are enforced differently by each guard. And they are also reminded of how good God is—for many of their fellow prisoners are imprisoned by sin as well as the walls and razor wire around them.
The changes at the Brig I’ve been writing about for several months now are still yet to come. The PNN (Prisoner News Network, not always reliable) says all the new guards will be in place by mid-May, and transferred prisoners will begin to arrive shortly thereafter. The Brig Staff, on the other hand, say it will take place in “two or three months”—the same answer I got two months ago. When I drove past the new wing (connected to the existing brig by only a hallway) last week, the front door was wide open. It seems safe to assume that won’t be the case once the prisoners move in.
Please remember the prisoners as they deal with changes and unknowns. Bruce is still waiting for an approved residence, along with Joe, who recently put his trust in the Lord Jesus. Remember also David, who has the most time remaining of anyone who attends the study. On the outside, Nate successfully completed his parole in Florida, and continues to walk closely with the Lord.
I always appreciate your prayers and donations, and look forward to hearing from you when you can.
Grace and Peace,
Ben Conarroe
