A Christian Survival Guide for Prison
By: Rev. Dr. Philip W. Chapman
ISBN: 9781617926426
Overview
Reverend Chapman offers inspirational messages for inmates and their families. Dr. Chapman’s messages help inmates survive the challenges of prison life. A Christian Survival Guide for Prison offers life changing stories and helps inmates to find deep meaning in Christian and national holidays. Doctor Chapman weaves a colorful thought provoking tapestry of story and faith. These messages, warmly received by prison congregations, draw readers closer to God.
Unauthorized reproduction by any means is forbidden without prior permission from Philip W. Chapman, PO Box 592, Highland, Il 62249 Copyright 2011 Philip W. Chapman All rights reserved. Scriptural quotations from the Eight Translation New Testament by Tyndale Publishers, Copyright 1974, or from The Holy Bible, New Life Version, Christian Literature International, Copyright 1969,1976,1978,1983,1986, Christian Literature International, P.O. Box 777, Canby OR 97013. Used with permission by Tyndale Publishers and Christian Literature International.
Disclaimer
All stories provided in this book are based on actual events but unless specifically named all characters, organizations, locales, and events portrayed in this book were created by the author’s imagination and used fictitiously. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is coincidental.
Contents
Section One: Life Changing Stories
1. Repentance in Prison: “The Dope Pusher” Mark 1:15
2. Repentance in Prison: “The Make Over” Mark 1:15
3. A Lost Opportunity? Matthew 4:18-22
4. Are You on the Right Road? Matthew 13:47-50
Section Two: The Challenges of Prison Life
5. Facing the Death of a Loved One in Prison Matthew 5:4
6. “It’s Only an Ouija Board?” Matthew 12:24-29
7. Forgive Us Our Debts as We Forgive Our Debtors? Matthew 6:12
8. Judgment: A Two Edged Sword Matthew 7:1-2
9. The Gospel Harp Player’s Roadie
Section Three: Celebrating Christmas and Easter in Prison
10. But Who Do You Say that He Is? Matthew 16:13-17
11. Feeling Alone on Christmas? Isaiah 9:6
12. The First Christmas Luke 2:1-17
13. Wise Men and Women Still Seek Him Matthew 2:1-11
14. The Women at the Tomb: An Emotional Roller Coaster Ride Luke 24:1
15. The First Easter: An Idle Tale? Luke 24:1-11
16. A Relationship that Matters Matthew 28:20
17. My Peace I Give to You John 20:9 and John 14:27
Section One: Life Changing Stories
“I’ll believe it when I see it!” Mark 1:15
Mark 1:15 exhorts: “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”
Sadly, over two million people inhabit America’s prisons and jails. They exist as a significant America subculture with their own unique existence. Previous to incarceration, many prisoners acknowledged Christ but chose not follow Him. Christ destines some men and women to meet Him in prison. If you are serving time or if you’ve got a loved one in prison perhaps you’ve observed God sends Christian volunteers, evangelists, and revivals to prisoners. Fortunately, many inmates accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior and make changes in their lives. Sadly, others accept Christ and then to fall away.
Letters and Calls Home
After an inmate accepts Christ they frequently call their family on the phone or write a letter home. The new Christian tells their family they’ve accepted Jesus, repented, and totally changed their life around. Family members, who’ve suffered through many ordeals, want to believe the long nightmare associated with their loved one’s criminal life style is over. However, after words of congratulation friends or family think; ‘I’ll believe it when I see it.’
Some inmates meet God in prison. Christians see miracles associated with changed lives daily. Jesus tells us: “by their fruits you shall know them.” A changed person bears the fruits that befit repentance. Family members know the change is real when they see a change in an inmate’s behavior. Galatians tells us; “the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, against such there is no law. Those that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts.” Jesus taught: “A good tree does not produce bad fruit, and a bad tree does not produce good fruit. Each tree is known by its fruit.” When you bear the fruit that befits repentance people believe the change is real. .
Repentance
Repent comes for the word ‘metanoia’. ‘Metanoia’ as translated from the Greek, means ‘mind change’. Repent may also translated to mean ‘to turn’ or ‘to make a 180 degree turn’. The two definitions are linked because when a person changes their mind they also change their path. Many criminals walked directly to hell. Yet when these people changed their mind set and completed a 180 degree turn they began walking directly to heaven. Is it any wonder upon receiving a call or letter from an incarcerated son, daughter, or brother, that they’ve accepted Jesus, family members think, ‘I’ll believe it when I see it!’ In fact, the reaction of some inmates is exactly the same when they see one their old business associates toting a Bible telling them; ‘My whole life is changed. I’ve accepted Jesus!’ As realists their inmate associates often think; ‘I’d like to believe this, but I remember your old shenanigans and all the things we used to do together. I’ll believe it when I see it.’ Old habits are hard to break. However, with God nothing shall be impossible!
An Example of Repentance
Previously, I taught class in an honors unit. A new cohort arrived. On the first day of class eleven of twelve men took their seats on time. The twelfth man arrived late.
Sauntering slowly into our midst he sneered at me, and with a look of disgust, took his seat. Then, as if ignoring the whole class he stared meanly towards the floor. What a show! His attitude, reflected in his countenance and posture, let everyone know he didn’t want to be there.
After my sneering pupil completed his entrance, I explained the class ground rules. Then I called on each of the students to introduce themselves and explain why they’d signed up for the program. When it became our sneering young man’s turn, he flashed a wicked grin and defiantly spat out the words; ‘I know what I am. I’m a dope pusher and will always be a dope pusher. You can’t change me.’ Recognizing this challenge as an opportunity, I looked him directly in the eye and gently asked; ‘Then why did you sign up for the class? You are right about one thing, I can’t change you. But you and Jesus can.’ Biding his time, he challenged me no further and silently glared at the floor. Everyone else smiled. After several classes and a heart to heart talk in the cohort leader’s office ‘our bad boy’ started to willingly participate in his rehabilitation. A Catholic, I suggested he attend mass and ‘pray the rosary’. He started reading his Bible and hanging with Christians in the unit. He pursued meditation and yoga. He devised a training regimen and began working out. In time, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. He repented and made Jesus the CEO of his attitude and his actions. As a Christian, with a new self image, he saw himself as a child of God and bore the fruits that befit repentance. Sometimes things got rough and he sought guidance. When his old life beckoned and he doubted if he could complete desired changes, I encouraged him to memorize words from Philippians 4:13 which read; “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” I reminded him he was not a dope pusher but was a child of God. Upon graduation from the cohort, he served as a mentor in the unit. Not content to rest upon his successes he applied for and was accepted at the prestigious rehabilitation program at another institution. The man who left our institution no longer resembled an insolent gangbanger. He told me he was a Christian. I believed it because I saw it.
Sick and tired of being sick and tired? Turn to Jesus
Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Down for the count but hoping for something better? Repent and believe in the Gospel. You are a child of God. You may have forgotten it for a little while but God loves you and will help you. If our old gangbanging friend can change you can too. With God you can eliminate the word impossible. The bars, the razor wire, the gun towers, and the gangs can’t keep Christ out. No matter what your lifestyle or where you are nothing can separate you from the love of God. I know you can change. People will believe it when they see it.
If you’re not a Christian won’t you pray with me now? Jesus, I accept you as my personal Lord and Savior. I’m sorry for my sins and want to change.
“The Make Over”
Mark 1:15 reads: “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”
If I get bored watching a TV show I channel surf. One time I tuned in a nationally syndicated talk show and watched what producers billed as a ‘make over’. During a ‘make over’, a volunteer selected from the audience undergoes a radical transformation in appearance. That day I watched the shows’ experts transform a drab looking woman into a glamour queen. The ‘make over team’ worked on the hair, makeup, clothes, physique, and even the psychology of the person. The transformation took weeks to affect. Afterwards, the show’s host, amid great fanfare brought the newly transformed person onto the stage amid thunderous applause. The woman, transformed by personal trainers, psychologists, cosmetologists, makeup, and fashion experts astounded the audience. Everyone noted an incredible change.
Are You In Need of a “Makeover?”
In today’s world, many men and women stand in need of ‘makeovers’. Not everyone can appear on a nationally syndicated talk show to receive one. In fact, the ‘makeovers’ some people need can’t be affected by a change of clothes, charm school, or work with a physical trainer. Unfortunately, the ‘makeover’ which must be affected goes deeper than outward appearance. Some people need a makeover of their ‘spirit’ or of the ‘soul’.
A “Makeover Expert” Is Available
As a prison chaplain, I saw the need for personal transformation daily. Some inmates availed themselves to the resources necessary to affect a radical change and some did not. The people I saw were unlikely to receive an invitation from a nationally syndicated talk show host. However, they did have access to an individual came to them wherever they lived. This person still works in prisons across the nation. Whether it is a super max, medium, low, or a camp, the gun towers and razor wire can’t keep Him out. In fact, when the time is right he’s even been known to spring a few people early from prison. You want to know His name? His name is Jesus Christ. He’s the ‘Make over King’ and never fails to get results. If you need a ‘makeover’ He guarantees results.
The Key to a Successful “Makeover? - Mind Change
Jesus Christ asks but one thing to begin the make over process. The key to a ‘make over’ is found in Mark 1:15 which reads; “repent and believe in the gospel”. Some individuals, whether they be incarcerated or walking the streets in the free world, don’t like the word ‘repent’. They associate the word ‘repent’ with ‘hell fire and brim stone’ sermons. Stuck in a crazy life style, they erroneously think God will save them without making a change. The word repent, in the ancient tongue, means ‘to turn’ and comes from the word
‘metanoia’. ‘Meta’ means change and ‘noia’ means mind. Thus, ‘metanoia’ means to ‘change one’s mind’. Observers see the effect of ‘metanoia’ in a person’s walk. Like a soldier completing ‘an about face’ a person undergoing metanoia makes a 180 degree turn. After marching directly to hell a repentant sinner makes an abrupt about face which puts them on a path heading directly to heaven!
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