REFLECTION.....The greatest evil in the World

Mother Teresa said:

'Many today are starving for ordinary bread.

But there is another kind of hunger-

the hunger to be wanted, to be loved, to be recognised.

Nakedness too is not just the want of clothes,

but also the loss of dignity, purity and self-respect.

And homelessness is not just want of a house;

there is the homelessness of being rejected,

of being unwanted in a throwaway society.

The biggest disease in the world today

is the feeling of being unwanted and uncared for.

The greatest evil is the lack of love,

the terrible indifference towards one's neighbour.'

Lord, warm our cold hearts with your grace,

so that we your disciples may produce the fruits of love.

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"On Wednesday 19 November, Rev Sandy Shaw Chaplain at Inverness Prison, will be speaking and teaching at a Day Seminar in KIBOS Prison (pronounced Kibosh), Kisumu, Kenya. 

 The Prison presently houses over 400 men - most are 'lifers' with some on 'death row' awaiting that sentence to be commuted to 'life imprisonment'. 

 The prisoners wear what can only be described as 'zebra outfits' - black and white striped suits with similarly striped 'pillbox' hats. 

 Sandy has been asked to take a gift for each prisoner - toilet paper or soap - as neither is provided.   Sandy plans to take soap - which cleanses the outside - and will speak on the Blood of Jesus Christ which cleanses the inside." 

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Positive esteem and self-belief are identified as factors that allow us to change. Sometimes the journey can be dark indeed, and it's difficult to hold on to the positive. There's a little prayer that offers hope:

"I believe in the sun, even when it's not shining.

I believe in love, even when I can't feel it.

And, I believe in God, even when He is silent."

There are a couple of quotes below from prisoners: one is searching and doing what he can to look for support; the other has been surprised by the unexpected strength that has come from beyond.

"I am still praying at night to God and going to Chapel services but last week was the first time in over 4 weeks that I have read my Bible.  It is not that I do not want to read it, it's because I have been feeling so down that I've just been sitting in my cell thinking about things.  I am also worried about what is going to go on when I get out.  The closer it gets to my lib date the more I am feeling down. I've got so much things to sort out and I just do not know how to sort things out, I do not know where I am going to live or anything ........... I'm just so worried ……. " Prisoner, HMP Perth.

"A few weeks before I came in to prison I was having a real hard time.  God felt so far away and the drugs had a hold of me again.  I was very depressed and suicidal… I was convinced that God had left me. If I hadn't come back to jail I would be dead but God has saved me again.  I now feel renewed in my faith, my love for Jesus and His love for me.  "  Prisoner, HMP Aberdeen.

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My Life of Crime

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The Future

Dear God-

Guide........................

Down the path of life,

Towards you.

Tell him to be good

And don't get into trouble

With the police.

It's for his own good.

Tell him that trouble

Is not worth doing

Nor is crime.

All he needs to do

Is get a good job

And good money

And a nice family

To keep him occupied

So that he don't go back

To crime.

Amen.

Yours sincerely,(Aaron)

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Jesus-I would like to pray for..................

In some way could you control her not to take drugs or any other things that might harm her.

Take her down the good path to the future so she can live her life without bumping into trouble or the wrong crowd.

Bless her and tell her that she don't want to end up back inside. It's not the place to be

You need your freedom.

Amen.

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Dear God-

just wanted to say-thanks mate!

You were there,when I really needed you.

Help me to remember that, next time.

Amen

Heavenly Father-You are the one person

I cannot fool.You know me through and through.I can put on a show to others but you can see right through my pretence, as plain as if I was glass.With you I can say it-or shout or scream it-Just the wayIt really is.And sometimes I reallyNeed to.I know that you listen And you accept it all.No messing.  No doubts.Thank you.Amen.(Ben)

                                                                                                                                                               Saviour-mystrength. My help and guide.

you are always there,

surrounding me with your love

and your care.

I love you.

Amen.

(Emma)