Brother's Keeper - December 2013

BROTHER’S KEEPER P R I S O N M I N I S T R Y

DECEMBER 2013 – VOL. 1

ISSUE 2

ON YOUR WAY HOME ?

L I F E T R A N S F O R M AT I O N G R O U P S CHAINBREAKERS PRISONERS ART PROGRAM JOB POSSIBILITIES S H E LT E R S A N D S E R V I C E S

ARTICLES P E A C E I N T H E VA L L E Y I N S I D E T H E G AT E ON FORGIVENESS LINKS IN THE CHAIN M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T

PEACE IN THE VALLEY In Alocoholics Anonymous, a program of which I am a member, there is a prayer called The Serentiy Prayer. In this prayer we ask God to help us accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference. This is a simple prayer that asks God for peace. If you are reading this letter more than likely you are an inmate in a prison system; a state,county or city jail. Perhaps you may be on parole or probation. Whatever the case may be, you are a prime candidate in need of peace. This situation can be considered a storm in our life. A deep valley. What can we do? How can we maintain peace of mind in the valley of barbed wired fences and the storm of concrete walls? How can we remain content while dealing with the pressures of probation or parole? Jesus’ question to His disciples as they traveled across the Sea of Galilee may give us the answer we need.

As they rowed across the sea they found themselves in a bad situation: a storm hit them by surprise. While they were worried and filled with fear of what might happen, Jesus, their fearless leader, was in the back of the boat sleeping! They cried “Master, Master we are perishing!”

Jesus’ response was to calm the storm. He followed that by ask-

ing them, “Where is your faith?”

We all need to consider this question when we are faced with situations and circumstances in our life that fill our hearts with fear. Where is your faith? Can we answer that question when we are worrying about our families and loved ones or the faithfulness of our wife or girlfriend?

Where is our faith when we are face to face with the idea of having one foot in, one foot out while on parole and probation? We can start by doing what is right and trusting in God. Depending on Him to lead us through the hard times, and trusting Him to help us make the right decisions.

It is not always the easy way, but it is always the best way.

ON YOUR WAY

HOME? Here are some real connections that may help you get on your feet.

F.Y.I.

INTRODUCING W. B. C. LIFE TRANSFORMATION GROUP

A Ministry to Ex-Offenders and their Families. The Welcome Back ministry seeks to connect ex-offenders and their families with Christ-centered communities of faith across the Houston area and the entire United States.

713.819.2258 Ask For Bro. Hank Byrd

INTRODUCING CHAIN BREAKERS: SMALL MEN’S GROUP

1 CHRISTIAN CENTER For help with food, clothing, and personal hygiene 713.871-9741

2 Re-Entry Services 2419 Isabella St Houston, TX 77004 713.942.8673

MON & FRI @ 6:00P PAPER CO. COFFEE SHOP 1100 ELDER STREET Our topics of discussion are generally unlimited but we are a social network of released prisoners who meet together to help each other stay free by holding each other accountable for our actions. But be careful, this is not a meeting for the weak who usually tuck their tails and run usually ending up back in jail. We just pray for them asking God for their rapid return. When you hit the ground call me (832) 893-0811. Ask for Brother Willie. Hope to see you soon. We can have a cup of coffee or drink a pretty and play a game of chess.

832.893.0811 Ask For Bro. Willie

INSIDE THE GATE ARTICLE SUBMITTED BY BROTHER COLE, STILES UNIT

FINDING STRENGTH Someone once said, “In your greatest weakness there can be found your greatest strength”.

I can’t help but wonder if the mind behind this statement was from a person in prison. Nowhere else have I experienced more adverse circumstances.

Aggressive personalities, addictions, hopelessness, many just like me who souls have reached their weakest moment, a place where many have decided to wallow. But I have made a decision that I don’t have to wallow there. If being incarcerated is your greatest moment of weakness, your greatest strength can be found in God. I know someone may be saying “yeah, yeah, I’ve heard it all before.” But ask yourself this—what if it’s all true?

The truth is we can tap into the strength of God even here in prison by following the instructions of 2 Chronicles 7:14. “If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal

their land.” That’s it. That’s all we need to do to receive this wonderful promise God has given us. Locked down behind these bars or out in the free world we can receive this promise. I’m glad to say that I have found my strength in God. Following Him has not been easy—humbling myself, praying, turning my will over to his will, leaving the things I like, things I called fun.

It was all hard to do, but I continue to read the Bible. Proverbs 3:5–6 has been helpful to me. ”Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding and in all your ways acknowledge him and He will make your paths straight.”

This simplifies things for me.

I face the same things today that I did yesterday But today I face these things in the strength of the Lord. I pray Brothers and Sisters that in your greatest moment of weakness you will find strength in God. THE GREATEST STRENGTH OF ALL.

Inside the Gate is a part of this newsletter months without a writeup and have accepted portunity to share their experience with us new way of thinking has transformed their

where inmates who have at least six Jesus as Lord of their lives have a opon the outside and inside. How this lives and made them new creatures.

E A R N M O N E Y FO R YO U R WO R K

PRISONERS ART PROGRAM

AND HELP A FELLOW I N M AT E G E T H I M S E L F TOGETHER WHEN HE IS RELEASED.

(IF I LIKE YOUR WORK) • I will place an order with you, usu ally in lots of 10.

• You send 5 pieces of your art.

• I place payment for the 5 pieces in your trust fund.

• You mail the remaining 5 pieces upon receiving payment.

• I mail the remaining balance to your trust fund.

• Most of the money made from the sales of your art will go to helping a released inmate get on their feet out in the free world. In many ways it is one inmate helping another.

You must have 6 months without any altercation write ups or any case at all to participate in this program. We believe your behavior should be an example to those around you as a born-again believer.

EXAMPLES OF YOUR WORK MUST BE SENT TO

ON FORGIVENESS MATTHEW6:12 “AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US.” It may be better if some of our prayers were not answered. For example look at the prayer Jesus teaches us to pray. Matthew6:12 “And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”We all for one reason or another need God to forgive us for something. Did you know that God has the power to answer every prayer we ask? We all for one reason or another need God to forgive us for something. None of us has grown to a point of perfection

EDITOR: FFROM R O MTHE TH E EDITOR

to need not God’s forgiveness. At the same time we remember the wrongs others have done to us. We can think on the many times others have mistreated us leaving our hearts filled with hatred and unresolved resentments causes us pain and heartaches. Yet we ask god to forgive us the same way we forgive others. In some ways it is good God wait awhile before He answer that prayer. Another way He show us that when it comes to what’s best for us He knows what He is doing.

As founder of Brothers Keeper Prison Ministries, editor of this newsletter,and ex-con myself: I’m pleased to say i believe in the same Jesus Brother Cole is talking about. And i know from personal experience that Jesus has the power to change your life. Thanks Brother Cole!

LINKS IN THE CHAIN For those who are blessed to be on the Blue Bird on your way back to the free world, this story may be of interest to you: A man fell into a deep pit. He yelled out for help just in time to catch a man with a chain that had just the right length(links in the chain) so that the man in the pit could grab the last link to be pulled up. There are many links in the chain that will keep us from being a repeat offender. Although there is not enough space to look at all the links available to us and to discuss the nature of each one. We do have enough space to talk about a few. One link is to establish a relationship with God, by accepting the link He has given us in the form of His only-begotten Son Jesus and accept Him as Lord and Savior of our life. It is my opinion and in accordance to what I truly believe, that this link is by far the most important link and that on this link all the other links hinge.

Another link is the relationship we have with our parole officer. This is a very important link.

We must pray to the main link asking God for the ability to be honest and straightforward with our parole officer. Especially when it comes to trust, this may not be easy to do on our own.

We may need God to direct us, lead and guide us to be able to grab this link. Another link is to

remain sober-minded. This may be almost impossible for those of us who have substance abuse backgrounds. If we ask God He may give us many sub-links. For example finding a good churchhome where the word of God is preached and taught. Finding a good support team, people we can talk to, people who we can trust and not yes-man and amen all of our manipulating ways, and are willing to love us enough to challenge us to change our old way of thinking. These sub-links are important. Grab them don’t let go and hold on for dear life, they may help us live the remainder of our life out here.

My dear brothers and sisters who are locked up behind bars, I have no idea how much time you got or when you may be getting out. But I can tell you this—I pray for you consistently that when you get out that God will have worked a work in you that will give you the ability to trust Him with all your heart to lead you to never ever return.

WHEN WE GET LOCKED UP WE LIKE TO TELL STORIES

THE TRUTH IS

ABOUT HOW MUCH WE HAD WHEN WE WERE IN THE FREE WORLD. WE HAD CARS, BOATS, AIRPLANES, SUBMARINES AND A LOT MORE.

W E D O N ’ T H AV E N O T H I N G A N D M O S T O F U S A R E G O I N G H O M E T O N O T H I N G ; N O W H E R E T O S T AY, N O M O N E Y, A N D N O F A M I LY. JOB POSSIBILITIES

All Global Enterprises 713.855.6701

Allied Waste Management 832.922.1984

S H E LT E R S & S E R V I C E S

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9525 Katy Freeway 7 1 3 . 4 6 1 . 74 0 8

American Block 6311 Breen Drive 281.598.5890

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3 Center for Empowerment

Al’s Moving Company Also Temps

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ALM Services

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Bread Of Life 1703 Gray 713.650.0595

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5 Lord Of The Streets 3401 Fannin 713.526.0311

M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T BROTHER’S KEEPER PRISON MINISTRIES IS DEDICATED TO WORKING WITH INMATES THAT ARE BOTH CURRENTLY BEHIND BARS AND RELEASED INMATES ALIKE WHO HAVE BECOME INTERESTED IN CHANGING THEIR LIVES. We encourage a Christian lifestyle offenders to encourage each othon the inside no matter what may er by holding each other accountbe considered an opposition. We able for Christian character and encourage inmates to join togeth- behavior. Also we want to learn er to help each other be account- from each others mistakes, failures able for their actions with love, and the success we experience as honor, and respect for one an- we deal with the pressures of beother. We also encourage respect ing on parole, probation, or havfor the officers and obedience ing a criminal record. We also try to the rules of the prison institu- to provide financial assistance for tion. Brothers helping each oth- those who are recently released er is very important. Our mission from prison. OUR PRIMARY PURscripture is found in Proverb 27:17. POSE IS TO STAND IN BETWEEn That same scripture also work for THE EX-OFFENDER AND THE those of us on the outside. We BEHAVIOR AND THINKING THAT believe in coming together as ex- MAY CAUSE RE-OFFENDING.

BROTHER’S KEEPER PRISON MINISTRIES 201 Welch St. Houston Texas 77006