Rock bottom perfect place to start anew – Incarceration is the very definition of rock bottom in our society. As a servant of Christ, I cling to a bible verse that turns the merit-based value system of the world on its head, Mark 9:35, where Jesus tells his disciples…

“Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

Rock bottom is the perfect place to start anew. Prison can be a rescue shelter for God’s children who have wandered away and find themselves lost. But the Good Shepherd will always bring back His lost sheep, and in many cases, He will use incarceration to redirect someone from death to life.

Our church services inside prison do not shy away from topics that put a mirror up to our hearts. On Father’s Day, I proposed a topic to discuss about honoring our fathers. They had a choice, either honor your father or forgive them. Jesus doesn’t give us any other options. I knew that if they could forgive and let go, it will always lead to honoring them. In one man’s effort to forgive he said something that profoundly resonated with me. When he was younger, homeless, living a life of chaos, his father looked at his appearance and said, “What would Jesus say if he saw you looking like this?”. His answer was “I hope that He would look at my heart.”

Followers of Christ are trained to take no stock in outside appearances. One may see a “White Pride” tattoo on someone’s hand and assume they are racist, but inside is a new creation in Christ. Someone whose life was rescued inside of prison by the Good Shepherd and set on a new path. Who was once marked by the beast, now lives to love. One may look at someone’s past crimes as if they were tattooed on their forehead for life. Jesus never wants to rob you from being you, it’s just the opposite. The more you surrender to Him, the more you become who the Father intended you to be. Heidi Baker wrote “In choosing to become nothing, we become everything we were ever meant to be.” I want to see all people from the inside out, not the outside in. This takes intention, patience, and friendship.

After every service in both the men and women’s prison a line is formed. I am asked to take out the holy oil and bless, pray, and listen to each person’s heart. Prayers of deliverance, protection and favor are spoken. Maybe it’s the I.C.E detainee pleading to God to return to his home and family. Maybe it’s for favor before a judge and jury. Maybe it’s encouragement to live another day incarcerated. But each prayer has one overarching theme, mercy.

Have mercy on us Lord, help us to be nothing, so you can make us everything you desire. 

-Pastor Josh Riggs, The Church at Prison

Newspapers AWOL on rabbi’s departure – A popular, homespun, scrappy Vermont news site has scooped the state’s two biggest papers once again.

The Burlington Free Press and Seven Days have been AWOL on the shocking sudden resonation of the rabbi in Vermont’s largest synagogue.

Vermont Daily Chronicle aka Burlington Daily News picked up on the story days ago, and it’s proven to be a big clicker with Guy Page‘s devoted readers.

And what’s up with Page’s alleged competitors?

Bupkus.

They haven’t printed a word.

It’s no wonder Page is making huge inroads on Vermont’s journalistic highway.

Like, he actually enjoys getting the beat on stories, no matter that he is out-staffed by the dozens at the state’s two highly-financed papers.

In Vermont, small is obviously best.

-Ted Cohen