Many of you who read ESI are in some way related to the Wilberforce Forum or the ministry of Chuck Colson. As you probably are aware, IFA is going to court next week at the federal level to make the case for being allowed into Federal and State Prisons. In today's Breakpoint Chuck makes a statement that we all need to absorb:

"So my plea to the judges would be this: Don't take away the one hope these men and women have—these poorest of the poor, the least in our society. Everybody talks about helping them, and we're doing it. Don't stop us."

He goes on to say:

"my plea to "BreakPoint" listeners and readers is simply this: Pray. Pray that IFI will prevail at the Eighth Circuit. And pray that this program will be able to continue to reduce recidivism, continue to make our communities safer, and continue to give hope to those who need it most."

I agree that we all need to pray. But I want to ask you to Fast during this time as well. The court case starts on the 13th which is a Tuesday. Let's all fast the weel of February 12th through the 16th. This is a pivotal week in the deliberation and decision phase.

We as believers know the mandate that God has given us to visit those in distress, to minister to "..the least of these" and we know that we need MANY MORE programs like those being put out by Prison Fellowship.

Remember, fasting is not always food. Those of you who know me know I am a porty feller and I like my food. I usually give something up like Television, Coffee, or anything that I enjoy and do on a regular basis. When I am tempted to just indulge I remember to pray and when we pray GOD MEETS US IN THE MIDST!!

Well, tomorrow is primary day, and after much consideration, I believe that fact merits a posting for today. If I wait until tomorrow, I'll have waited too long! I think the best way to approach this post is to start by quoting one of our Founding Fathers:

Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may treasure the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost. (John Adams)

This is the sort of politics I can appreciate! This is not a vote based on polls or trying to guess who can win. This is honestly analyzing the candidate or the bills (I would suggest Scripture as the litmus test) and then voting accordingly, regardless of the consequences.

Read more!

In remembrance of Veteran's Day, I would like to share a photograph with caption from the Arms Family, whose son, Brad, gave up his life for his friends in defense of the freedom we enjoy today.

Moments after this picture was taken there was a flurry of gun fire in the adjacent courtyard, 3 other Marines were screaming for help. That’s when Brad said, “They need our help. Let’s go,” and led the way into enemy fire.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. - John 15:13

In the days that immediately followed September 11, 2001 I collected many images and video clips that were circulating the Internet, figuring that one day I'd be glad I kept them all. Well, as the 4th anniversary approaches I decided to compile most of my collection together into a video clip that serves as a reminder of this tragic event.

Isaiah 59:1, "Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear."
Psalm 23:4, "I will fear no evil, for you are with me."
Psalm 18:2, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge."
Zephaniah 3:17, "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save."

Cable Internet (high quality video)
DSL Internet (medium quality video)
Dial-Up Internet (low quality video)

*This page must be viewed with Internet Explorer for video clips to open properly.

Recently I had the opportunity to visit a few of the Smithsonian Museums in Washington D.C. My favorite one was the Museum of American history. As soon as I walked through the doors of the huge museum, I felt a renewed sense of awe and appreciation for our country. The main doors opened into a large room where an enormous flag hung suspended from the ceiling. The flag looked rather dirty, though, and it even had a large black streak across part of it. Wanting to see why it was smudged, I walked closer and noticed a descriptive label located just underneath it. I began to read the label and soon learned that this very flag had been unfurled on the nation’s pentagon on September 12, 2001, the day after terrorists hijacked planes and flew them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

The label under the flag helped me understand that when people hung that flag on the pentagon the day after the terrorist attacks, it served as a symbol of unity and a reminder to the world that Americans still stood together for freedom. But as I looked at the giant flag, and so easily recalled the emotions I went through on September 11, 2001, I realized that I would never be able to fully explain those emotions to my children or grandchildren. And although I wouldn’t want them to ever have to feel all of what I felt on that day, I do want them to understand a part of it. I want future generations to feel the pride I have in the many heroes who risked their own lives to save the lives of others as flames engulfed the Twin Towers and they began to collapse. I want them to have some comprehension of the gratitude I have for the passengers on flight 193 who thwarted the plans of the hijackers who attempted to destroy part of the capital city. I want them to share in my deep appreciation for the civilians and servicemen and women who were working in the pentagon on 9/11.

Read more!