Real Life Christian Church

While We Wait Prison Ministry

P.O. Box 201

Washington, MI 48094

CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORM

If you are released or transferred, please fill out and

send us this form.

Thank you for your help!

Full Name: ____________________________________

Prisoner # _______________________

New Address: ________________________________

________________________________

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Mail to: Real Life Christian Church

While We Wait Prison Ministry

P.O. Box 201

Washington MI 48094

WAR

A lot of you know the Jericho story. Jericho was a

walled city. Nobody could conquer it. Joshua 6 - read the story

for yourself. Here's God's battle plan: No siege ramps, No

battering rams, No swords, No metal balls with spikes on them.

Joshua 6:3, "March around the city once for six days. On the 7th

day march around the city seven times. When the priest blows

the rams horn, have the people make a long loud shout and the

walls will collapse." I wonder what Joshua thought when God

gave him that battle plan? "That's not how we win wars! Come

on God be serious!" Probably not, Joshua was a man of great

faith.

The Bible is consistent. Here's how we New Testament

believers fight wars; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, "We don't wage war

like the world. The weapons we fight with have divine power to

demolish strongholds." The battle is most often with yourself.

Especially your thoughts. Those wars within are battles you and

I can't handle, and we cast them on the Holy Spirit through

prayer. And you fight! And every time you cave in, you take

those sins to the Cross and know you're forgiven. Then get up

and keep fighting. That's a war you can win.

Sometimes we feel at war with other people. So you

practice the "Golden Rule"; Do to them what they've done to

you, right? The world would do that. But you and I go to

Romans 12:17; "Don't repay evil with evil, but BLESS those

who persecute you." So you pray for them. You want and work

for their good. You say good things about them. That comes

from God's Word, your sword, your weapon. You humble

yourself like Jesus did. He waged war against - get this - the

stranglehold of sin, against the certainty of suffering and eternal

separation from God forever and against the limited power of

satan and every damnable demon he has. That was the world's

greatest war. And He won! His weapon was Love that led Him

to sacrifice Himself. If that works for Christ, it'll work for you

and I.

Who do you get together with? A true believer will talk

to you from the Word. They will hold you accountable and let

you know when you step out of bounds. They will remind you

how valuable, precious, and dear you are to God.

Our weapons are powerful guys.

God Bless you as you go to war.

Pastor Dennis Rasper

Real Life Christian Church

WHILE WE WAIT

PRISON MINISTRY

Encouragement and

strength for your

loved ones. Ask them

to like us on

facebook

I AM BARABBAS

I am Barabbas, you are Barabbas. The first

person who ever knew what it truly meant to have

Jesus Christ die on the Cross in their place was

Barabbas

(MT 27:21).

Barabbas was about to die. About to be

executed for crimes he committed, but instead he was

set free. Why? Because Jesus went to die on the Cross

instead of him. If Jesus doesn't show up that day, and

isn't falsely accused and brought before Pilate,

Barabbas dies. He was scheduled to die a death he

deserved, but Christ hung on the very Cross Barabbas

was to die on.

Here's something you may not know: Barabbas

was guilty of the very crime of which Jesus was being

falsely accused. He was involved in an uprising against

the Roman government (MK 15:70). Jesus was being

accused of inciting the very same thing (LK 23:14).

Did Barabbas use his second chance to receive

Christ as Lord and Savior? I don't know; scripture

doesn't tell us, but I do know this: Barabbas got a

second chance.

Like Barabbas, I deserved to be on that cross. I

wasn't, Jesus Christ was. Because of what Christ did

for me that day, I got a second chance. I am Barabbas.

You deserved to be on that Cross. You weren't,

Jesus Christ was, and you got a second chance. You

are Barabbas.

With my second chance I've made Jesus Christ

my Lord and Savior. What have you done with yours?

In Christ Love,

Hunter T.

SPRING 2015

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THINK BACK! Ever experience lower back pain? Something that, perhaps, felt like a pulled muscle or pinched nerve? Something that hindered your ability to walk upright, sit straight, turn or twist, or even lie in your favorite position? These symptoms prove obvious that God designed our back muscles and spinal column to incorporate utilization for almost every bodily movement we make. Americans are plagued by recurring lower back problems. I'm no exception. As a former heavy equipment mechanic my back suffered constantly "going-out" because my job description entailed carrying and mobilizing forty to eighty pound blocking, and constantly lifting and moving extremely heavy machinery parts as well as the tooling utilized to repair them. But I was young, strong, in shape, and very energetic, and thus couldn't put my finger on why I was experiencing so much back trouble. After all, I learned in Tech College how to properly lift and move heavy items. Moreover, why do so may white-collar Americans who sit at a desk for a better part of their day experience this same phenomena? I admit, when I entered prison I was more than reluctant to attempt any type of back exercises when faced with the opportunities of a weight-pit because I was absolutely positive I was going to permanently injure myself knowing well-off I shouldn’t have even gone there. Boy was I wrong. Eleven years later and I'm fully convinced that part of our problem is that we neglect to condition our lower backs to withstand the ordinary stresses we, as Americans, demand of them in our era. Our lower backs contain "spinal erectors" which are made up of several muscles that guard the nerve channels and help keep the spine erect. The focus of this article is to strength train and condition the spinal erectors in order to increase the support they provide to your spine as you age as an injury-preventative measure. This quarter's focus is on "deadlifts"; next quarter I'll cover "good mornings" and "hyperextensions." These three exercises condition our spinal erectors. Deadlifts are an overall power exercise that involves more muscles than any other exercise in a basic strength trainer's routine, including the lower back, upper back, trapezius muscles, the buttocks, and the legs. If you do not work out regularly, I suggest you start with just a 45 pound bar with no weights attached, then slowly work your way up to seventy to eighty pounds, and leave it at that. If you regularly strength train your body, you'll feel comfortable with whatever your body can handle and how hard you want to exert yourself. The following routine is straight out of Arnold Schwarzenegger's bodybuilding encyclopedia: EXECUTION: (1) Place a barbell on the floor in front of you [with whatever weights added you feel comfortable with]. Bend your knees, lean forward, and grasp the bar in a medium-wide grip [about shoulder width apart], one hand in an overhand grip, the other in an underhand grip. Keep your back fairly straight to protect it from strain [always look up]. If you curve your back you risk injury. (2) Begin the lift by driving with the legs. Straighten up until you are standing upright, then throw the chest out and shoulders back as if coming to attention. To lower the weight, bend the knees, lean forward from the waist, and touch the weight to the floor before beginning your next repetition. If you can slowly work your way up to ten sets of ten repetitions each, you've just added to your repertoire of the average American’s general idea of a workout: jogging, pushups, and sit-ups. And, when you "think back," you'll strain your memory contemplating when the last time your back "went out." Happy Lifting, Cliff M.

Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren 1 Saddleback Parkway Lake Forest, CA 92630 (Author of "Purpose Driven Life") (Books, Devotionals available) Forgotten Man Ministries 3940 Fruit Ridge N.W. Grand Rapids, MI 49544 (Postage paid Bible Studies) Living Waters Prison Ministry P.O. Box 566 Comstock Park, MI 49321 (Christian Transitional Housing)

A man fell into a pit and couldn't get himself out.

A subjective person came along and said, "I feel for you down there."

An objective person walked by and said, "It's logical that someone would fall down there."

A Pharisee said, "Only bad people fall into pits."

A mathematician calculated exactly how he fell

into the pit.

A news reporter wanted the exclusive story on the pit.

An IRS agent asked if he was paying taxes on the pit.

A self-pitying person said, "You haven't seen anything until you've seen my pit!"

A fire and brimstone preacher said, "You deserve your pit."

A Christian Scientist observed, "The pit is just in your mind."

A psychologist noted, 'Your mother and father are to blame for your

being in the pit."

A self-esteem therapist said, "Believe in yourself and you can get out of that pit."

An optimist said, "Things could be worse."

A pessimist said, "Things will get worse."

Jesus, seeing the man in the pit, reached down took the man by the

hand and lifted him out of the pit.

Shared with us by: Kyle J.

Most of you know my story...about being "a miracle baby", about the name Jesus being the first word I ever spoke, and about the prophecy that was spoken over my life. Still, I feel so unfulfilled! I have a strong yearning in the natural, but I'm at the point in my life where I ask God first, to discern if my wants and needs are in line with His will. I want and need a wife, a helpmate, a bona-fide, zealous Christian woman who is totally/completely devout and devoted to God; a wife who is living a life according to the Word. So I gave my baby sister an assignment; posting an online ad in hopes of me meeting that special woman. The thing is while I did pray about it, did I really make my request known before God? I don't think I waited on Him or relied upon Him to do it, but rather tried to make it happen myself. But God is amazing. Just this instant (while writing this), I knew I needed guidance. I’m sitting at my desk, my bibles and books are on my bed shelf, and I looked up for something and there I saw a daily devotional that my friend Hunter had given me years ago. It is called "My utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers. So I went to today’s date January 5th, and as I read these words about the disciple Peter, they fit my situation precisely: "...he had come to the end of himself and all his self-sufficiency, there was not one strand of himself he would ever rely upon again, and in his destitution he was in a fit condition to receive an impartation from the risen Lord." That's where I am (at the end of myself). It is only then that our new life can begin. As I read further it said: "When we have come to the end of ourselves, not in imagination but really, we are able to receive the Holy Spirit." If like me, you have been trying to go it alone or do it your way, stop this very instant and know that our "...Father knows what things we have need of before we ask Him" (MT 6:8), and "...God will supply our every need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19). It's time to let go and let God do His will in our lives. God Bless, Stephen M.

It was funny for me to read Hunter's article about

taking a position working for the Chaplain. Actually I had the

same opportunity but just prior to receiving the detail I rode out.

God had a different plan. I am now at another facility

where I work as facilitator teaching self-help programs for sex

offenders. I work one day a week and get paid for five. This

allows me time to work on a new project God has handed me. I

am working on a program that will provide housing and

treatment to sex offenders when they are released.

I thank God again for all the wonderful opportunities

He continues to present me as I walk through life. If God blesses

me then I know He will bless you as well. We all must stand in

prayerful belief that God will continually protect us and take

care of us. His plan is always the best plan.

Until next time,

God Bless you my Brothers,

Eric L.

1-pack flour tortilla shells 1-summer sausage 1-pack of pasta sauce 1-chedder cheese bar 1) cut meat into thin slices and cook to desired tenderness 2) cut cheese into thin slices 3) layer pasta sauce, cheese slices and cooked meat on each tortilla 4) heat each tortilla pizza separately as desired 5) give thanks and enjoy! Created by: Kalvin M.

FROM MY CHAIR

I'm getting ready to enjoy my first Christmas at home. No fences or razor wire around me. I just received the Winter Edition of the WWWPM Newsletter and I'm sitting here in my chair reading it. I enjoy every article. My heart rejoices to hear Men of God share their stories, teachings, and testimonies. Let me tell you, there is life after prison! The number one thing that has helped me is that I didn't walk away from God when I left prison. I kept walking with Him and He guided me to a loving church full of people who don't care about my past and are only concerned with helping me now and in the future. We cannot accomplish this walk effectively alone. God Has blessed me with a wife and a son that support me and love me unconditionally. The God who brought me through prison is the same God who I put my trust in to guide me through every day. So, is life after prison okay? YES! Is there a future even for convicted felons? YES! There is life for you out here. God makes a way. I know this because I'm living it every day. If you have prepared yourself and truly walk with the Lord He will guide your every step, every day. Yes, there are hard times. It's not all easy, but it is all possible because of Him. There are a lot of temptations out here. But I keep my eyes on the Lord and I let the Holy Spirit lead me. He guides me into all truth. I am never alone. If you don't know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you can change that today. When you put Christ first in your life you can be sure you will never return to prison. I know I've been there and I'm praying for you. In Christ Love, Ron C.

I've been in prison for 11 years and I've met

murderers, rapist, bank robbers, child molesters...you name it.

Guys who think their crimes define them. Guys who think

Jesus can't use them.

I started thinking about some Bible characters, the

stars of the Bible. Famous names like Jacob; he was a liar and

a cheat. Joseph was abused and had a prison record. Samson

was a womanizer and Rahab a prostitute. Paul was a killer of

Christians! Moses had a speech problem and when God called

him to be spokesman Moses replied, "I’m not eloquent of

speech." Jeremiah thought he was to young when God called

him. Isaiah confessed that he had unclean lips. Peter was one of

the most effective apostles ever and he denied even knowing

Jesus on the night Christ was arrested. Although Peter had a

"human moment", God knew his heart.

If you ever think that because of your crime that Jesus

can't love you or use you, remember these people. Romans

8:28 says "...we know that all things work together for good to

those who love God and are called according to His purpose."

After Joseph was elevated to the #2 position in all of

Egypt he told his brothers "You meant evil against me but God

meant it for good." Joseph was called according to God's

purpose and judging by the fact that you're taking the time to

read this I'll bet you were too!

God Bless you all, Jeff D.

I was reading an article in the last newsletter and I couldn't help but reflect back to about a year ago. I too was offered a position as a Chaplain’s Clerk but I turned it down. At the time the Spirit wasn't leading me to accept the position. There were some other factors that led me to say "no" but that was clearly the most important one. What's funny about all that is here I am enjoying the same duties as the Protestant Clerk, just not with the title. I still lead the services, and have the wonderful opportunity of building leadership, for which I am grateful. I learned many of those skills from a previous Chaplain that I had the privilege of serving under, Chaplain Sheerer, who has been a blessing to so many of us. He helped to develop my leadership gifts and taught me to do the same for others. He was a true blessing in my life, he saw things in me that I couldn't even see in myself. I am grateful for Him. I say all of that to point out that when God is conditioning you for a specific job, He is in control. Where you want to go or how you want to do it is immaterial. He opens doors of opportunity in different ways. His plan is different than ours and His direction is set in stone. God knew that at the end of the day I was going to be exactly where He wanted me to be, doing exactly what He wanted me to do. When all you desire to do is serve God, He puts you where He needs you. Through the years I have learned that God exposes our strengths while sending others to help us to build our areas of weakness. He will not give up on us, even when we may have given up on ourselves and He will put us right where we belong. For His purposes and His glory! For those of you who have decided to serve God whole heartedly and with all you have, all I can say is, get ready for the ride of your life! Enjoy every minute of it, Kevin T.

I spent 3 years and 8 months at a prison in the U.P. It was not where I wanted to be. After 2 years I was able to get on the waiting list for a transfer down state, closer to home. Finally after waiting over a year and a half I was told to pack up, I was riding out. So, I packed everything, took it to control center, said goodbye to all my friends and waited for the next morning so I could finally ride out. The officers told me to expect to get called at about 0430. At 0530 I woke up and the officer told me my ride was not there yet. I immediately began to worry that something was wrong. I sat down with a Brother in the Lord and we read The Daily Bread together. That particular day it was about the Israelites and their travels with the Lord (Num. 9:15-23). After reading that I knew it was not my time to go yet. Sure enough, later that morning I was told I had a medical hold on me because I had to see an eye specialist. Man was I bummed, especially when I found out that I was supposed to be transferred to a prison that was only one hour from my family. Yeah I was bummed but I knew that I had to trust God. I knew that He would move me when and where He needed me. So, I waited and continued to serve God right where I was. I finally saw the eye specialist and the medical hold was lifted. Two weeks later I was once again told to pack up, I was riding out. I did not end up going to the prison they intended to transfer me to the first time. I actually ended up going to a prison even closer to my family! I am only 30 minutes from home now and this facility has a lot of programs, church activities, bible studies, and there is even a bible college program getting ready to start here. I am thankful to be here and ready to be used by God to reach the many lost souls around here. God has His plans for our lives and His plans may not be exactly what we thought they should be and we may not end up exactly where we wanted. The important thing is that we trust Him and that we serve Him right where we are. Your Brother in Christ, Jeff M.

This could be your article you’re reading right now. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!! Your articles, poems, and testimonies are needed to print in our quarterly newsletter. We will also place certain selections on our Facebook page for public viewing. (Articles--Max. 1500 characters. Testimonies--Max. 5000 characters. All entries become the property of WWWPM. WWWPM reserves the right to edit all submissions for space and good taste.) We look forward to hearing from you. Exercise your gift!!!!!!!!

We are excited for this opportunity to introduce you

to Lollita Faith Ministry. We presently send inmates

inspirational poetry to encourage them. At the beginning of

this year we could see the importance of uniting the Body of

Christ from the outside to believers who are incarcerated.

Therefore we started "The Body of Christ Ministry." God also

birthed within our hearts to establish prayer groups throughout

the Michigan prison system. At present we have a group of

275 believers named "Prayer Warriors of Faith." They are

united together in prayer for all the request’s that come in. We

have begun a prayer group in one Michigan prison so far and

we are looking for those who are interested in being a part of

Prayer Warriors of Faith in all Michigan Facilities. If you are

interested please contact us at:

Lollita Faith Ministry

New Market Station Box 2262,

Niagara Falls NY 14301

Thank you so much and God Bless you.

In His Love,

Jonathan and Janet

I grew up in the church and was very familiar

with the Word of God, but I had real difficulty with

applying the Word of God to my life.

Many distractions kept me from being

focused. During this incarceration words my mother

used to say have always played in my mind, "At the

end of us, is the beginning of God" (John 3:30).

The Word of God has been very influential in

my life during this 22 years of incarceration. I finally

understand and realize that what I need to combat the

influences of evil or wrong doing is already within me,

I just need to activate it.

2nd Peter 1:3 reads, "According to His divine

power he hath given unto us all things that pertain unto

life and Godliness, through the knowledge of Him that

hath called us to glory and virtue." Truly believing was

my greatest struggle. When I started to accept Jesus'

words as full truth I began to see the world with a

newness that I can fully appreciate. Believe!

In Christ, Earlando C.

Tell us what your "Life Verse" is and why? The one verse that drives your life and relationship with Jesus Christ.

We will post it on facebook to share with the world and we will enter you in a drawing to win a free book. The book will be

sent to you from an approved MDOC vendor. All entries will be entered into the drawing. One Winner per quarter. Entry

deadline - April 30th 2015

My Life Verse is: __________________

Because:

WINNER LAST QUARTER: Mark W. won a copy of “Act like Men” by James MacDonald. Congratulations!

It cost money to make this ministry happen. We are an

ALL volunteer ministry. Every single penny we receive

goes directly to the cost of the newsletters and birthday

cards.

Finding financial support is the hardest thing a "Prison

Ministry" has to do:

Your gift of any amount MUST be made payable to:

REAL LIFE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

P.O. BOX 201

WASHINGTON MI, 48094

www.rlcc.us

GOT

FRIENDS?

With their permission send us their information and we will begin sending them this free quarterly newsletter

Full Name Prisoner # _______________________________ _________________ _______________________________ _________________ ________________________________ _________________

Cut out and send to:

Real Life Christian Church While We Wait Prison Ministry

P.O. Box 201 Washington MI 48094

Your loved ones can receive our free quarterly newsletter by e-mail. Have them contact us at:

WhileWeWaitPrisonMinistry@outlook.com

I worked as a Registered Nurse for over 20 years caring for people. I then became a Counselor who helps set captives

free. Even though one treats the body and the other the soul and spirit, for me it was about finding peace of mind away from

the chaos of a hospital setting. I took a major pay cut for the peace of ministering to people who were broken, grieving, lost,

and in need of guidance and direction. God made me a more complete and satisfied person as I went through the transition.

When I was 39 my mother developed Alzheimer’s disease and my life changed again as I became her primary care

giver. I again had to sacrifice to find peace but God has been with me each step of the way.

My mother passed in 2000. She was my idol, my child like parent. I was lost, depressed, and fell into many addictive

behaviors. Those addictions led to me breaking the law and coming to prison 2 years after my mother’s death. In 2003 I

rededicated my life to Jesus Christ. I would have never thought that I would be studying, fellowshipping, and counseling with

other prisoners, but here I am. The skills I once used to show care and compassion to people in the free world are now used on

a daily basis to minister to my fellow inmates.

I live my life for the Glory of Jesus Christ. I have participated in the James Group and in Celebrate Recovery. Daily I

surrender and offer my life as a living sacrifice. No, it does not mean that the struggles are gone, but they are much easier to

deal with because of my relationship with Jesus Christ.

I am hopeful that I may one day open a Christian Addiction Resource Shelter for men who struggle with all types of

addictions. A place centered on forgiveness, acceptance, care, and compassion in the love of Jesus Christ.

I am so thankful to have read an article like "Why?" featured in last quarter’s newsletter because it reinforces that I'm

on the right track. God will provide and I will do as Jesus said in Luke 4:18; take time to look it up. Our purpose should follow His

as we are anointed by the Holy Spirit.

God Bless each of you, Randall F.

Michael A. blessed us by sharing with us the following e-mail that his friend Pete sent him. It is so powerful! If you don't

know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior we pray that you have a friend like Pete in your life.

Hello Michael,

Near the end of our last conversation, your referred to me as "good". My response was that God is good - I am most

certainly not. I try to be good, but I fail regularly...daily. I am, in the terms of scripture and religion, sinful.

You have known me most of my life. Like you, I was raised a Catholic and abandoned that faith early on. During our teen

years, I was an ardent atheist, which means I didn't believe in God or anything other than what I could see, touch, hear or smell. This

all changed quite suddenly as I was pondering a "simple" tree against a beautiful sky. I became convinced that there was no way all

this happened by chance. "This" being not just the tree, the earth it was rooted in, the sky it branched into, and the universe beyond,

but even my very ability to ponder it at all.

I tell you this because I know you continue to struggle with God and faith. My own journey took me through many of the

world's religions and philosophies, but in the end brought me back to the Bible and ultimately, my very real conversion to Christianity.

I'm not so fond of the word "conversion," because it implies something I can't really relate to. What I mean by that is I became - and

remain - absolutely convinced that the Christian faith not only explains everything, but offers the only real Good we can hope to

achieve as individual humans.

We know good and bad, virtue and evil. How we even know that is one of those things that points to the sure existence of

One who IS Good and against whom all else is measured. That we humans, (who Scripture teaches are created in the image of God),

even have such a moral compass is something that sets us apart from all other life and everything else in creation.

All this is to say that any "goodness" you might perceive in me cannot be attributed to anything I am because like all the

rest of us I am nothing more than a sinful man among fallen humanity. I am, however forgiven for my sins, and I know the incredible

cost and price of that forgiveness. Being conscious of that, and with God's guidance, I do try. Failure does not separate me from God,

because the forgiveness we receive from Him in Christ is perfect, free and permanent. Receiving this gift is also a permanent,

consistent reminder of how very much I am in need of it - and how utterly unworthy I am of receiving it.

Please forgive me if you perceive this as a sermon - that is not my intention. We are friends and you are already well aware

of the depth of my faith. I just want you to have, perhaps, a better understanding of where I am at in spiritual terms. It would delight

me to know that you have learned about these things and come to the same conclusions I have, but it is not my place to try imposing

any kind of belief system on you. You need not worry about this one message turning into some kind of constant hammering about

spiritual matters.

But if you ever want to talk about it, I'm here. So are many others...and, of course, so is God, who waits constantly with

open arms for the return of His prodigal sons.

Love, Pete