August 4, 2006
MEN AT WORK
Today I worked for most of the morning as well as for much
of the afternoon in the prison's main recreation yard in order to help set everything up for tomorrow's Christian familiy
day event. About fifteen men including myself had volunteered to put up the large canvas tents that are needed to shelter
everyone from the sun. We all took our turns holding up different sections of each tent while several other men used their
sledgehammers to bang the steel suppport spikes into the ground. Then we had to gather approximately two hundred metal folding
chairs plus dozens of portable dining tables from a storage area where they were then transported by wagons to the yard.
All totaled it took more than six hours to do this. It reminded
me of working on a construction site, too. And even though I was exhausted afterwards, it felt good and invigorating to have
labored in the fresh air.
At three o'clock, however, when it was time to return to my
living area for the day, I was given permission by the correction officer on duty to take a hot shower. It was just what I
needed. Nevertheless, I'll be back in the recreation yard early tomorrow morning as we get ready for our family members and
friends to come. Upwards of 200 people are expected. It's going to be a long day!
David Berkowitz
VOLUME AUGUST 2006
August 6, 2006
DESPERATE TIMES
Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 2:3
I believe we would be fooling ourselves if we thought these
are joyful and prosperous times that we're living in. Rather these are desperate times when many people are suffering in a
myriad of ways. And for Chrstians, if we remain honest, we could attest that our faith seems to be getting tested to the maximum.
Speaking for myself, I seem to go from one problem to another.
Then, when one problem gets resolved, a different one crops up in its place.
And with this in mind, during today's chapel service, before
the minister came to the pulpit to give his sermon, I felt led to speak to the flock for a handful of minutes in order to
give both them and my self an exhortation about being ''good soldiers" for Jesus Christ.
So I first read a small portion from the Apostle Paul's second
letter to his beloved spiritual son, Timothy, who was a young pastor in the making. I then read a brief message which I wrote
this morning shortly before sunrise. For as I was sitting on my bunk the Holy Spirit stirred me to get a pen and a piece of
paper and write the following:
"We're living in very desperate and perilous times. And I believe
that the Lord Jesus is calling each of us into a deeper and stronger relationship with Him.
This is not the time, my brothers, for the typical, mediocre,
'business as usual' approach to Christianity. For we are living in a critical period of the church's history, and at a time
when many have grown spiritually cold. They're also indifferent to Christ's mandate to preach the gospel to every person.
In the United States of America, at least, many of us are content
to stay cloistered within the walls of cozy church buildings rather than doing the work of soul winners, and going out along
the highways and hedges in order to find the lost and compel them to come to Christ for salvation. We've been omitting the
Lord's 'Great Commission', and we're instead settling for our self-made religious safety zones. And this should not be.
My brethren, as the world drifts towards increased wars, acts
of terroroism and disease, and as false prophets and teachers flourish, we need to be more gounded in our faith, and in the
knowlege of the Word of God than ever before."
David Berkowitz
August 13, 2006
ONE SOUL
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one
sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Luke 15:7
This morning we had another God-directed worship service in
the chapel. The best part of the approximately 90 minute event, however, was when we had our altar call. As the preacher gave
the invitation one individual came forward to confess that as of this moment, he was placing his faith in Jesus Christ. Up
until now he had been a devout Muslim who had been following the teachings of Islam.
To protect his identity I will not reveal his name, nor will
I gove any details about him. Nevertheless, he has been a popular and well respected member of the prison's Muslim community.
Furthermore, I learned afterwards that it was one of the members
of my congregation who had been sharing his faith with him. And today, for the first time, this man came to the chapel. And
while the minister was giving the message, this man made the decison in his heart that he was going to place his faith in
Christ, which he did. Then, when the altar call was made, he came forward and announced it to the church. As a result, the
more than fifty men in attendance broke into spontaneous applause. We gave God thanks, and when the service was finished,
we took turns embracing him.
I have no doubt that there was joy in heaven today. There was
much joy in our little church, too.
David Berkowitz
August 14, 2006
JOY DAY
Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will
receive, that your joy may be full.
John 16:24
After a prolonged heat wave with very high humidity, almost
overnight, it seems, the weather has become nearly perfect with evenings that are cool enough for me to need a light sweatshirt.
And it won't be much longer before my favorite season is here. When autumn arrives the leaves will of course begin to change
their colors. While at nights the faint smell of woodsmoke will waft into the air as folks from nearby towns start up their
woodstoves and fireplaces on chlly evenings.
But aside from this, today my heart was filled with an all-encompassing
joy. God answered a prayer of mine, and on this special and wonderful day I was treated to a priceless gift from Him.
Now, however, shortly before bedtime, my heart is very happy
and my souls is at rest. I only wish there would be more days like this one, and I am believing by faith that there wil be.
David Berkowitz
August 16, 2006
BLESSED FELLOWSHIP OF THE FORGIVEN
At three o'clock in the afternoon, when my work assignment
was done, I was permitted to to outdoors for about an hour. It felt good to walk in the fresh air on such a stunning and gorgeous
day.
And while I was in the recreation yard I happened to run into
several men from my congregation. We than began to walk together. But as we were doing so I became aware of the deep brotherly
love I feel toward these guys. For here were individuals, like myself, who committed crimes and did bad things. Yet at some
point during our lives God was able to penetratre our hard hearts so that we would each hear the gospel, and believe it.
Moreover, as I listened to these prisoners talk about their
hopes, dreams and day-to-day struggles, something continued to stir deep within me. It was a good feeling, however. It was
also a recognition that even in this place of darkness and evil---a maximum security prison---God has somehow brought us together,
a group of men from diverse backgrounds, so that He might teach us how to learn to love, live, work and grow together as a
holy family . The Lord Jesus, I believe wants us to excel in every area of our lives.
Thus I consider myself privileged to be around such men. I
am blessed to have them as friends, too, because they love Jesus, and so do I.
David Berkowitz
August 18, 2006
A PRODUCTIVE DAY
It's been a very productive and spiritually enriching day.
My morning work assignment as a mobility guide for a sight-impaired prisoner was uneventful. But this afternoon, however,
when I went to the Intermediate Care cell block to assist the men who are mentally challenged, I found a handful of guys who
needed a friend to talk to. A couple of the men asked me to pray for them, too.
One particular inmate, who once told me that he is "HIV positive",
said he's been feeling sick and has a bad case of diarrea. I did notice that he's lost weight. So he was glad when I put my
right hand on his forehead and said a prayer for him. Many of these men simply need someone to show them compassion and concern.
And this is my ministry; it is a joy to do it.
In addition, I was also able to spend time with my friend "Larry".
I wrote about him in my journal entry dated June, 20, 2006.
This afternoon I found Larry walking around the housing unit
on this warm summer's day still wearing his tattered army coat. He was moving back and forth during our one hour crecration
period, which today happened to be held indoors, talking to himself while bundled in winder gear.
Poor Larry! He's a beautiful person who's now lost in a world
of schizophrenia. Nevertheless, I could spend an entire day with Larry and enjoy his company, even though, sadly, most of
his words are insane jibberish. Larry's a precious soul whom Jesus loves.
David Berkowitz
August 20, 2006
MY CHAPLAIN RETURNS
I cannot even begin to describe the many ways the Lord has
been touching lives in this place. It says in the Old Testament book of Jeremiah the prophet, "Behold, I am the Lord, the
God of all flesh: is there anything to hard for me?" (Jeremiah 32:27)
The answer to this question, of course, is that nothing is
to hard for the Creator. He has power and authourity over all things.
And with this in mind, I am full of joy right now because,
as of today, my chaplain has returned to his post as pastor of the congregation after having taken a leave of absence for
a few weeks in order to attend to his wife who, after a routine medical examination, was diagnosed with cancer. (see my Journal
for July 23, 2006).
Fortunately, "Pastor Carl," as we affectionately like to call
him, appeared to be well rested. He also preached with exceptional fervency as he attested to the goodness of God, and how
his wife, after enduring a surgery to remove a tumor that was determined to cancerous, came out of her ordeal with an excellent
prognosis. The doctors,. the chaplain said, believe thay got all the cancer cells. My pastor was so jubilant about this that
on several occasions during his combination sermon and testimonial he broke into tears.
In addition, there were times during his message when the congregation
was so moved that we erupted in spontaneous applause to give glory to Jesus Christ. I am very happy, therefore, for my pastor
and his wife. His message from Psalm 40:1-5 was, I believe, sent to me from heaven, too.
David Berkowitz
August 6, 2006
DESPERATE TIMES
Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 2:3
I believe we would be fooling ourselves if we thought these
are joyful and prosperous times that we're living in. Rather these are desperate times when many people are suffering in a
myriad of ways. And for Chrstians, if we remain honest, we could attest that our faith seems to be getting tested to the maximum.
Speaking for myself, I seem to go from one problem to another.
Then, when one problem gets resolved, a different one crops up in its place.
And with this in mind, during today's chapel service, before
the minister came to the pulpit to give his sermon, I felt led to speak to the flock for a handful of minutes in order to
give both them and my self an exhortation about being ''good soldiers" for Jesus Christ.
So I first read a small portion from the Apostle Paul's second
letter to his beloved spiritual son, Timothy, who was a young pastor in the making. I then read a brief message which I wrote
this morning shortly before sunrise. For as I was sitting on my bunk the Holy Spirit stirred me to get a pen and a piece of
paper and write the following:
"We're living in very desperate and perilous times. And I believe
that the Lord Jesus is calling each of us into a deeper and stronger relationship with Him.
This is not the time, my brothers, for the typical, mediocre,
'business as usual' approach to Christianity. For we are living in a critical period of the church's history, and at a time
when many have grown spiritually cold. They're also indifferent to Christ's mandate to preach the gospel to every person.
In the United States of America, at least, many of us are content
to stay cloistered within the walls of cozy church buildings rather than doing the work of soul winners, and going out along
the highways and hedges in order to find the lost and compel them to come to Christ for salvation. We've been omitting the
Lord's 'Great Commission', and we're instead settling for our self-made religious safety zones. And this should not be.
My brethren, as the world drifts towards increased wars, acts
of terroroism and disease, and as false prophets and teachers flourish, we need to be more gounded in our faith, and in the
knowlege of the Word of God than ever before."
David Berkowitz
August 13, 2006
ONE SOUL
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one
sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Luke 15:7
This morning we had another God-directed worship service in
the chapel. The best part of the approximately 90 minute event, however, was when we had our altar call. As the preacher gave
the invitation one individual came forward to confess that as of this moment, he was placing his faith in Jesus Christ. Up
until now he had been a devout Muslim who had been following the teachings of Islam.
To protect his identity I will not reveal his name, nor will
I gove any details about him. Nevertheless, he has been a popular and well respected member of the prison's Muslim community.
Furthermore, I learned afterwards that it was one of the members
of my congregation who had been sharing his faith with him. And today, for the first time, this man came to the chapel. And
while the minister was giving the message, this man made the decison in his heart that he was going to place his faith in
Christ, which he did. Then, when the altar call was made, he came forward and announced it to the church. As a result, the
more than fifty men in attendance broke into spontaneous applause. We gave God thanks, and when the service was finished,
we took turns embracing him.
I have no doubt that there was joy in heaven today. There was
much joy in our little church, too.
David Berkowitz
August 14, 2006
JOY DAY
Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will
receive, that your joy may be full.
John 16:24
After a prolonged heat wave with very high humidity, almost
overnight, it seems, the weather has become nearly perfect with evenings that are cool enough for me to need a light sweatshirt.
And it won't be much longer before my favorite season is here. When autumn arrives the leaves will of course begin to change
their colors. While at nights the faint smell of woodsmoke will waft into the air as folks from nearby towns start up their
woodstoves and fireplaces on chlly evenings.
But aside from this, today my heart was filled with an all-encompassing
joy. God answered a prayer of mine, and on this special and wonderful day I was treated to a priceless gift from Him.
Now, however, shortly before bedtime, my heart is very happy
and my souls is at rest. I only wish there would be more days like this one, and I am believing by faith that there wil be.
David Berkowitz
August 16, 2006
BLESSED FELLOWSHIP OF THE FORGIVEN
At three o'clock in the afternoon, when my work assignment
was done, I was permitted to to outdoors for about an hour. It felt good to walk in the fresh air on such a stunning and gorgeous
day.
And while I was in the recreation yard I happened to run into
several men from my congregation. We than began to walk together. But as we were doing so I became aware of the deep brotherly
love I feel toward these guys. For here were individuals, like myself, who committed crimes and did bad things. Yet at some
point during our lives God was able to penetratre our hard hearts so that we would each hear the gospel, and believe it.
Moreover, as I listened to these prisoners talk about their
hopes, dreams and day-to-day struggles, something continued to stir deep within me. It was a good feeling, however. It was
also a recognition that even in this place of darkness and evil---a maximum security prison---God has somehow brought us together,
a group of men from diverse backgroounds, so that He might teach us how to learn to love, live, work and grow together as
a holy family . The Lord Jesus, I believe wants us to excel in every area of our lives.
Thus I consider myself privileged to be around such men. I
am blessed to have them as friends, too, because they love Jesus, and so do I.
David Berkowitz
August 18, 2006
A PRODUCTIVE DAY
It's been a very productive and spiritually enriching day.
My morning work assignment as a mobility guide for a sight-impaired prisoner was uneventful. But this afternoom, however,
when I went to the Intermediate Care cell block to assist the men who are mentally challenged, I found a handful of guys who
needed a friend to talk to. A couple of the men asked me to pray for them, too.
One particular inmate, who once told me that he is "HIV positive",
said he's been feeling sick and has a bad case of diarrea. I did notice that he's lost weight. So he was glad when I put my
right hand on his forehead and said a prayer for him. Many of these men simply need someone to show them compassion and concern.
And this is my ministry; it is a joy to do it.
In addition, I was also able to spend time withmy friend "Larry".
I wrote about him in my journal entry dated June, 20, 2006.
This afternoon I found Larry walking around the housing unit
on this warm summer's day still wearing his tattered army coat. He was moving back and forth during our one hour crecration
period, which today happened to be held indoors, talking to himself while bundled in winder gear.
Poor Larry! He's a beautiful person who's now lost in a world
of schjizophrenia. Nevertheless, I could spend an entire day with Larry and enjoy his company, even though, sadly, most of
his words are insane jibberish. Larry's a precious soul whom Jesus loves.
David Berkowitz
August 20, 2006
MY CHAPLAIN RETURNS
I cannot even begin to describe the many ways the Lord has
been touching lives in this place. It says in the Old Testament book of Jeremiah the prophet, "Behold, I am the Lord, the
God of all flesh: is there anything to hard for me?" (Jeremiah 32:27)
The answer to this question, of course, is that nothing is
to hard for the Creator. He has power and authourity over all things.
And with this in mind, I am full of joy right now because,
as of today, my chaplain has returned to his post as pastor of the congregation after having taken a leave of absence for
a few weeks in order to attend to his wife who, after a routine medical examination, was diagnosed with cancer. (see my Journal
for July 23, 2006).
Fortunately, "Pastor Carl," as we affectionately like to call
him, appeared to be well rested. He also preached with exceptional fervency as he attested to the goodness of God, and how
his wife, after enduring a surgery to remove a tumor that was determined to cancerous, came out of her ordeal with an excellent
prognosis. The doctors,. the chaplain said, believe thay got all the cancer cells. My pastor was so jubilant about this that
on several occasions during his combination sermon and testimonial he broke into tears.
In addition, there were times during his message when the congregation
was so moved that we erupted in spontaneous applause to give glory to Jesus Christ. I am very happy, therefore, for my pastor
and his wife. His message from Psalm 40:1-5 was, I believe, sent to me from heaven, too.
David Berkowitz
