An Incredible Poem!

On Good Friday, John B. marched out of Newton Prison on his way to freedom and family in the Quad Cities.  Before he left he shared this incredible poem with us during the Holy Week service in the prison gym.  Enjoy!

My Commitment as a Christian    
Submitted by: John B.

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed,

I have stepped over the line

The decision has been made,

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.

I will not look back, let up, slow down, or be stilled.

My past is redeemed,

My present makes sense,

And my future is secure.

I am finished and done with low living,

Sight walking, small planning, smooth knees,

Colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking,

Cheap living, and small goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position,

Promotions, plaudits, or popularity.

I do not have to be right, first, on top,

Recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded.

I now live by faith, lean on His presence,

Walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my goal is heaven,

My road is narrow. my way is rough,

My companions few, my guide reliable,

And my mission clear.

I cannot be bought, deluded, or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice,

Hesitate in the presence of adversary,

Negotiate at the table of the enemy,

Or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I will not give up, shut up, or let up

Until I have stayed up, stored up,

Paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus.

I must go until he comes,

Give until I drop,

Preach until all know Him,

And work until He stops me.

And when He comes for his own,

He will have no problem recognizing me

For my banner will clear!

New Week at New Life

We have some new materials at New Life for this new week.  On Tuesday, we have a prayer group featuring materials from Henry & Richard Blackaby - Fresh Encounter.  It's a DVD / workbook series emphasizing spiritual awakening and revival.  Pray for revival to take place at the Newton prison.  Pray that the Spirit will blaze a trail through the lives of men, transforming hearts and changing their Way of Life.

Then on Thursday we start a new study featuring a book from Crossroad Bible Institute.  It's a book written by Dr. David Schuringa called Seven Secrets for Success in the Workplace.  Good stuff.  Very practical.  Some of us may consider the material to be common sense but I've found that common sense just isn't that common any more.   We're hoping to supplement the material by getting input from business owners and those in administrative positions in order to find out what they expect from their employees.  It'll help to have a Bible-based curriculum that speaks into the reality of our workplace world.  We want to grow more than just Sunday-Christians at New Life.  Instead the Spirit inspires men in prison to take their faith seriously and live out what they believe.  Glory be to God!

A Caregiver's Prayer - from Rose

We are - Easter People!

I received this poem from Mary Mortenson of Prison Congregations of America.  Enjoy!

Holy Week in Prison

This week we celebrate Holy Week in prison.  On Tuesday, New Life Prison Community meets in the prison chapel for prayer group.  We'll sing songs of Good Friday and Easter.  We'll pray together.  We'll read God's Word and share devotionals that lead us to meditate on the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross.


On Holy Thursday, New Life Prison Community meets in the prison gym for worship.  Last year at this time, Maundy Thursday marked our first ever large-group worship service.  This year we're once again celebrating what Christ has done for us.  We'll sing great songs like Blessed Redeemer and My Redeemer Lives!  The message will focus on the 7 Words of Jesus spoken from the cross (recorded in John 19, Luke 23 and Matthew 27).  Then we'll hear one of the inmate-members sing "Were you there when they crucified my Lord?"  Maundy Thursday marks the day when Jesus gathered the disciples in the upper room and re-defined passover in terms of himself - his body and blood.  Of course, this prison worship service will include the celebration of the Lord's Supper!  Praise God!


Pray that the Holy Spirit will make his presence known.  Pray that God will bless us as we worship & fellowship together in prison this week.

Thinking about the words of Jesus today.

Welkom to Pella!

Dr. David Schuringa, President of Crossroad Bible Institute is visiting Central Iowa this weekend.  Tomorrow night he joins us to encourage the men at the Newton Prison.  Saturday - come join us in Pella for an 8am to noon workshop on Restorative Justice.  We are looking forward to Dr. Schuringa's visit.  Here's an advertisement that Crossroad placed in the local paper.