Greetings Beloved in Christ,

 As I think about Easter and think about our Lord on the cross some 2,000 years ago, I think on what it means for me and all who put their faith in Christ as Lord and Savior. What happened that day on Calvary? Through Christ’s death we became more than conquerors, through our faith. (Romans 8:37) Conquerors of death, sin, fear, worry, and all the enemy tries to put on us.

FAITH is believing God. Abraham believed God for the impossible, for a son, and did not waiver even when he considered his old age. How do we get such faith to believe God’s Word?

We believe by faith that Jesus was crucified, dead, buried, and rose again. We believe that we are saved when we receive Christ as our Lord and Savior and His Holy Spirit dwells within. We have no doubt our sins were laid on Him at the cross and we have been forgiven. We believe we will live for eternity in Heaven, right? But do we often stop there?

Jesus came to give LIFE and LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY. (Jn 10:10) We claim “Life” but what about the more abundant? Do we trust all His promises? Promises to take care of all our needs, to provide, to heal, to protect, and to cause all things to work together for good?

But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Prov 1:33

“Faith isn’t the ability to believe long and far into the misty future. It’s simply taking God at His Word and taking the next step.”  Joni Erickson Tada –

 And this too, it is one of my favorite quotes because I have found it to be so true:

 “When you get to the end of all the light you know and it’s time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: either you will be given something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly.”  Teller, Edward –

Here is one more I can relate to and agree with from personal experience:

J. Hudson Taylor – Written to his wife during one difficult time in the work of the China Inland Mission, “We have twenty-five cents – and all the promises of God!”

PRAYER REQUESTS

Inmates:

Randy is asking us to pray for his marriage, pray for his wife Julie, asking God to help them.

Please pray for Richard in CA, denied parole again and wants to appeal. He has already been inside over 30 years, most of his life, he was just a teenager.

Anthony G, asks us, please pray for him, he has a difficult time in controlling his anger and his problem with safety issues. (He’s 21 years old

Wesley H. in FL asks prayer, God to deliver him from his enemies

Volunteer Pen Pals:

Please pray with us for CPP pen pal Karen: “I have been very unwell, I got diagnosed with breast cancer stage 3 early in January, had a double mastectomy with lymph node resection on Jan 23rd, then went through my first chemo this last wed, and have been doing poorly, nausea, large weight loss, fatigue. I am keeping up with my 4 ladies.”  Karen V.

Please pray for pen pal Jenn: “I am going through a depression. I have no motivation, and I am losing touch with my pen pals Would you please pray for me? I really need to write my pen pals…I feel like I have a responsibility to them, but I have not been there for them.” Jenn

Kimberly V is asking prayer for her boyfriend Don, God to help him overcome some problems in his life

Diana W. is ill and needs God’s healing, grace to keep her strong.

CPP Ministry:

KEEP PRAYING!!!!!!! Asking God to send more and more new volunteer pen pals and churches faithful to His work and willing to reach out to prisoners for Christ!

Pray for the CPP volunteer staff, God’s leading, grace, peace,health, and blessings in their lives.

LETTERS RECEIVED

From  Inmates:

NOTE: This is just two of many such letters of thanks for the cards received at Christmas.

Dear Friends,

First, I would like to take pause for a prayer for you and yours.

Well, I’d like to thank you all for taking the time to send me a Christmas card, it really goes a long way! I’ll get straight to th point, finding you all’s info and learning that there are Christians who reach out to us really touches my heart. I realize that only the Holy Spirit can put that love in you all’s heart. God has already put it in front of me the example of how we as Christians should be. I wrote in my application I want to preach the Word of God. Please use me to reach out to someone in need of God’s Word. Well, God bless you and your ministry.

Your brother, Juan Muniz

Greetings! I hope and pray that you guys are doing great by the grace of our awesome God. My name is Nadeem. First of all, thank you so much for your true and pure love that you and your great staff showed sending me Christmas cards. I was surprised and shocked, what a way to show your love and kindness. I have no one in the USA, I am from a 3^rd world country. In my mind, I was ready that no one was going to remember me at Christmas. But God said in His mind, “Nadeem, don’t you know that I work in mysterious ways?!” Any way, you made me feel very special at Christmas time.

My second reason to write is I want to say Thank you, thank you, thank you sooooooooo much for your help. After waiting almost 2 years, finally, I now have a pen pal. She is in Canada. She is a very religious woman and that’s all I asked to my Father in prayers. I am very happy & excited to have a friend to talk to. That was not going to happen without your help so I am very grateful. Honestly, my words cannot express my happiness.

May God richly bless you and your staff, Nadeem

From CPP Pen Pals:

Dear Sister. I am blessed to have so many correspondences with inmates all around the States! God is slowly teaching me how “to actually” put others before myself. I have always read this verse, and displayed it in moments when I “felt” like it, but now I am putting others first by writing (something I am not a big fan of but, it is just as writing to Jesus! (The “Least” of these= Me … The Lord Taught in Matthew 25.

I am writing to let you know all 20 you gave me I have allowed the door open for correspondence. Some ask “what/where/how?” and I tell them. Others enjoy the connection, and have accredited it solely to God (which I find acceptable and wonderful. Best wishes for a great new year for you, and I am writing back to all who reply and for every letter I receive, I send a returned reply. From there it is up to them to continue, but it is looking as most are! In Christ, Josh Kelly

Hi Jesse and Beth,
I’m very excited to join in your ministry! Sure I can write to 2 pen pals! My heart is so burdened for all the “ragamuffins” of the world – of whom I am one! – who need reminders of God’s complete and unconditional love for them whether they are in a physical prison or in a prison of their own making. Satan can keep us sooo beat up and discouraged. I’ve experienced that and I’m not in prison! I can only imagine what it’s like for my brothers and sisters in prison struggling to deal with all that’s going on around them while at the same time remembering who they are in Christ. Thank you for this opportunity! I look forward to hearing from you! Tammy B.

Hi Beth

I’m so happy you got the names to me as I was afraid they wouldn’t get here in time before my husband leaves and takes outgoing mail.

They both sound great and I will get letters out to them on Sun or Mon. Kevin might be perfect for me as I am college educated and it will be fun corresponding with someone else who its. (Can’t imagine how someone with education winds up in prison but I guess things happen)

I’m also happy that they are both long termers as my secret wish for them is that at some point I might help them start a bible study etc where they are and find the joy I have found in the Lord.

I read over your info and if I have any questions, I will get with you. I have a wonderful pastor who always has time to answer questions for me and give advice when asked. In fact I just talked to him about the best way to explain the ‘fear of God’ as I think that is something that new believers need to understand in the correct way.

I’m really excited about your ministry and can’t wait to get started. Don’t worry, while I love discipling new believers, I won’t be preachy but rather attempt to lead them as friends and by example into the wonderful life God has for them.

Thank you so much for all you do and I pray we will have a long and joyful partnership.

Terri & Jim

Hi Beth,

I will be happy to send 5 cards again this year and will use my own address.  I enjoy writing to these men and they all tell me how much they appreciate my friendship.  I feel truly blessed to be doing this.  I am writing to 7 now and can easily do more.  I feel God has guided me to do this.

(A lot more fun than housework.)

May God continue to bless you and all who are involved in this ministry.  Love,  Marilyn

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

THANK YOU!

Steven has joined CPP volunteer staff and has been working on resources and networking with inmates in need of reentry support. Thank you to all our Staff and Prayer Partners!

FACEBOOK.com Look for Christian Pen Pals on Facebook, another way of staying connected, building friendships and networking with like-minded brothers and sisters in Christ. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Statesville-NC/Christian-Pen-Pals/111535968859827

NEED Pen pals for inmates of other faiths, Muslim, Native American, Wiccan, other. If you are good to be patient with others while witnessing, please pray about being their pen pal.
Also special needs inmates: depression, addictions, homosexuals, handicaps or illnesses and need Biblical guidance and Christ’s strength to overcome. Our file of death row inmates is getting too full too.

RESOURCES:

Office of Correctional Education, U.S. Dept. of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. S.W., Washington, DC 20202. Information about educational grants. If your pen pals are interested in a better education, share this – they may want to check it out.

Publication for the inmates: tell your pen pals to write an ask to be added to their mailing list. Jesus Christ Is Lord Newsletter: Heart of America Prison Ministries, PO Box 1685, Independence, MO 64055

Crossroad Bible Institute will send wonderful resources. They provide free NIV Bibles to inmates–all the inmate needs to do is pay $2 for shipping. They are also connected with Radio Bible Class which puts out little booklets on every imaginable subject. Instructors are encouraged to order specific ones for inmates with certain questions or needs. You might request a list of free available booklets at

rbc-orders@rbc.org . Their phone: 616-974-2210.

From Kathleen

Prisoner Express–Annual print and online publication from the Durland Alternative Library at Cornell University that promotes creative self expression amongst prisoners. Offers writing and educational projects for prisoners that sign up through the newsletter. Free of charge.
Cornell University • 127 Anabel Taylor Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853 • (607) 255-6486 • alt-lib@cornell.edu

Submitted by Gelly

WORDS TO ENCOURAGE:

 “Faith is: dead to doubts, dumb to discouragements, blind to impossibilities.”  Unknown –

Let Us Walk By Faith and Not By Sight

2 Kings 6:15-17 When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha. 16) “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!”

17) Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.

So often in our walks with the Lord, we become focused on what we can see, what we can hear and what we can sense in the physical realm. Like that young man, we focus on the enemy’s attacks around and about us. At times we can get so focused on our physical circumstances that we forget that the Lord has already provided for us the victory!

That servant was frightened by the size of the enemy‘s army heading their way — but Elisha was focused on the Lord. He knew that God had a much bigger army prepared…and that is what won him the victory.

Do not be frightened! Let‘s let our spiritual eyes be opened today so that we may see that God has prepared a plan of victory from the beginning of time! Our victory is near!

Bro Jerry Miller  brothermiller1@yahoo.com

Faith is simply taking God at His Word; if God said it, I believe it and I will act like it’s true no matter what my feelings and reasoning tells me. God cannot do mighty works without people believing in faith.

Where reasons are given,
we don’t need faith.
Where only darkness surrounds us,
we have no means for
seeing except by faith.
‘ Elisabeth Elliot ‘

I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Be strong and of a good courage.—Joshua 1:5-6  (submitted by Gelly)

“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our FAITH”  I Shall not be Moved!!!!!

“I HAVE LOST MY FAITH IN GOD”

http://www.a-haven-on-earth.com/power/104.html

“Faith is Stronger…”

http://www.a-haven-on-earth.com/power/12.html

POEMS

He Took My Place

A sinner I was, and a sinner I’d be
Only Jesus, my Lord, could set me free
He loved me enough to suffer the loss
He took my sins and nailed them to His cross

When I should have hung on that cross in disgrace
Jesus, My Lord, He took my place!
No longer do I feel alone
Since He purchased me for His very own

I can’t understand His sacrifice
Why Jesus, My Lord, paid that great price
When I should have hung on that cross in disgrace
Jesus, My Lord, He took my place

Now I’ve found a Joy and Peace
The love I’ve found will never cease
I can pour out my heart to My Lord in Prayer
He always listens, and His presence is always there

When I should have hung on that cross in disgrace
Jesus, My Lord, He took my place
And When I take my final breath
And when my eyelids close in death

He’ll send His Angels to come for me
His Angels are my Friends and Family
I will soar to the Heavens unknown
I will at last behold Him on His throne

He’ll take my hand and say to me
“This is the place I have prepared for thee”
When I should have hung on that cross in disgrace
Jesus, My Lord, He took my place

By Nancy Stephens, from http://www.godswork.org/index.htm

The Voice of Jesus    

I heard the voice of Jesus say to all oppressed
Come unto to me and I will give you rest
He speaks of pardon, grace and peace
Where joy and love will never cease.

Trust, the voice of Jesus said, I am the light
You have nothing to fear in the darkest night
To each of those who have lost their way
He will bring happiness to your day.

Believe, Jesus said, I will give you life
I will be with you in times of strife
The foe is eager, and your fight will be long
Have faith in me, I will make you strong.

Jesus said, All who come, I will not cast out
His welcome voice drives away all doubt
He speaks of sinners, unworthy they may be
His love is boundless and will set you free.

Glenna M. Baugh © 2007
mistynewsletter@alighthouse.com {Misty Alighthouse}
(Submitted by Claudette)

The U in JesUs
Before U were thought of or time had begun,
God even stuck U in the name of His Son.
And each time U pray, you’ll see it’s true
You can’t spell out JesUs and not include U.
You’re a pretty big part of His wonderful name,
For U, He was born; that’s why He came.
And His great love for U is the reason He died.
It even takes U to spell crUcified.
Isn’t it thrilling and splendidly grand,
He rose from the dead, with U in His plan?

The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew,
and this word resUrrection is spelled with a U.
When JesUs left earth at His Upward ascension,
He felt there was one thing He just had to mention.
“Go into the world and tell them it’s true,
That I love them all – Just like I love U.”
So many great people are spelled with a U,
Don’t they have a right to know JesUs too?
It all depends now on what U will do,
He’d like them to know, But it all starts with U.
— Author Unknown submitted by Jane

CLOSING:

Because of the Blood

http://www.a-haven-on-earth.com/power/58.html

“My soul has been set free by the blood of the Lamb”

I believe it is important to remember that Jesus didn’t just die for you and me, He died for all. Even when our Lord was suffering death on the cross, he reached out to a repentant sinner on a cross beside Him and pardoned a death row prisoner. When the inmate asked Jesus to “Remember me,” Jesus replied “Today you will be with me in paradise.”

“But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy.

Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in you. Surely, LORD, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield.”   Psalm 5:11-12

“God has no Phone, but I talk to him. He has no Facebook, but he is still my friend. He does not have a Twitter, but I still follow him.”  Quote submitted by “Min”

An Easter Trilogy web page to enjoy:  http://wandascountryhome.com/trilogy/

HAPPY RESURRECTION SUNDAY!!! May you and your family have a wonderful day!

We pray God will manifest Himself in a special way this Easter to renew our spirits in steadfast devotion.

 HE IS RISEN!!!!!! HALLELUJAH!!!

We are so very grateful for your support, prayers, and just for being a part of this ministry making a difference; you are in our prayers!!!

In Christ’s love,

Jesse & Beth, Directors

--
Jesse & Beth Michael, Executive Directors
Christian Pen Pals / Pen Pal Connection
cppministry@gmail.com  http://www.christian-penpals.com
Member of International Network of Prison Ministries
www.PrisonMinistry.net/cpp
CPPO Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ChristianPenPalsOutreach/