Earlier this evening I went to service
in the chapel.
The minister who visited us from the outside surprised me by calling me
up to the pulpit. He then told me to give the sermon. I joked wilth him
and said, "Thanks for the warning."
But it so happened that I did have a message to share
with the
congregation. So I spoke for about 20-25 minutes on what I had been
reading from the Bible this morning.
I read to everyone most of Second Corinthians chapter
four. My
emphasis, however, was on the seventh verse. That the Lord has chosen
to
place His treasure, the Holy Spirit, in each of us who have placed our
faith in Jesus Christ.
I spoke too about our "light afflictions" and how they
work for us a
far better and eternal reward in glory. That the rewards for our
faithful service to Christ, and for having to endure many trials and
persecutions which come our way in this life, will have tremendous reward
in heaven.
I then explained in depth how God wants us, as Christians,
to bave
the salt and light of Jesus while we're in this earth. I said that
non-Christians are watching our lives, and they want to see how we handle
life's trials and difficultiles. For how we endure our daily struggles
helps to prove the reality of our faith.
When non-Christians see us living lives of peace, joy
and inner
tranquility, this lets them know there is hope in Jesus.
Yet, on the other hand, if they see us falling apart
emotionally
when we're going through tough times, and they see us becoming
discouraged and even bitter, they will in turn make their personal
judgement that there's really nothing to Christianity after all.
If there is a God, some of them may reason within themselves,
then
He is not a loving being who cares about His children.
I also reminded the congregation that God has chosen
to place our
lives on display.
I said that, in a sense, all that people wll ever see
of Jesus, will
be what they see of Him in us.
They will either see deep faith mingled with love and
joy, or they
will see doubt, fear and unbelief. If they see the former, God may use
our steadfastness to draw others to Him for salvation But when they see
the latter, these observers may draw the incorrect conclusion that we
Christians serve a weak God, if there is actually any God at all.
However, Jesus is genuine, and He wants us to be victorious
because
He will get the glory when we triumph over our trials.
We can indeed be used by the Lord to demostrate to
a society of
people who are seeking meaning and purpose in life, that the divine power
of Jesus Christ is real; it is living in us.
I then concluded the message by assuring the brethren
that in spite
of our feeble flesh, God has chosen to place His treasure in us because
it's not really about us, it's all about Him.
David Berkowitz
April 19, 2004
Yesterday was the fifth anniversary of the Columbine High School
shooting rampage which left fifteen people dead, mostly teenagers. Both
young gunmen died as well as an heroic teacher who lost his life trying
to protect his students.
This tragedy, I believe, was mostly about unchecked
anger, seething
rage, and increasing hostility in the minds and hearts of two very
troubled teenagers.
Everyone from the parents of the killers (who are no doubt
still
suffering terribly), to the friends, neighbors and classmates of these
men missed all the classic warning signs of impending violence. In
retrospect some did see a few of the signs, but they either did not do
anything about it or they ignorantly thought that somehow everything
would simply turn out okay.
As a Christian, and as a man who was once similarly
troubled when I
was younger, I cannot help but think if there was some way to have
reached those two kids before they undertook their murderous acts.
The insidious poisons that slowly seeped into their
minds over time
however, from the websites that proclaim the diabolical teachings of
Adolf Hitler (they were fascinated by Hitler and carried out the killings
on his birthday), to the violent movies and video games they were
addicted to certainly fueled their inner rage. What ever messages they
received from Hitler's writings or from those movies and games,
apparently served to justify within themselves what they were about to
embark upon.
Ultimately these
two young men would unsettle our nation for many
years to come. They would also leave behind hundreds of grieving family
members and friends of those who died.
And, ironically, they would also serve to "jump-start"
a spiritual
revolution that would sweep across America
when people everywhere whose
hearts were torn by this tragedy, would begin to pray for the healing of
our land, andover the loss of innocent lives.
Furthermore, shortly after the rampage, the parents
of murder victim
Rachel Joy Scott would find and publish their daughter's diary and
personal writings.
Rachel's writings have since touched the hearts of
multitudes in
unique ways as she, althought no longer on this earth, wrote extensively
about topics like forgiveness, faith, hope, and showing kindness to
people.
Of course I do not have all the answers as to how to
prevent such
similar tragedies in the future. But I must do my part, however small,
to reach as many young persons as I can with a message of hope, as there
are many of them who are very angry right now. For them this world makes
no sense, and seems to have little meaning.
David Berkowitz
April 21, 2004
(c) 2004 David Berkowitz
There were so many caring and God fearing women who helped the Lord
Jesus
with
His ministry. And throughout the Scriptures one can see that God has placed
into
the hearts of many of them a hunger to touch lives and help others through
acts
of kindness and generosity, and through their prayers.
Jesus, the Bible tells us,
had Mary Magdalene, of whom He had previously
delivered
from demonic oppression. Then there was Joanna and Susanna and "many
others"
who devoted their lives to Jesus and assisted Him (Luke 8:1-3).
I myself believe that women often make the best prayer warriors
and
intercessors. Perhaps it is their God given desire to show mercy as well as a
longing
to see people experience the love of Chjrist that makes them want to pray
frequently
and fervently.
It appears, too, as if the Lord has placed inside women tender hearts
that
long
to plead for those who are hurting. They want people to be helped and
healed,
and then get safely nurtured in the arms of the Savior.
In my own life God has placed some spiritually mature and caring
women to
intercede
for me, and to bathe me in their prayers.
Yesterday I worte about Sister Jean.
Today I want to mention Connie and
Carolyn. They have their own families, yet God has called them to pray for me.
They've
been doing this for many years.
Connie and Carolyn attend the same church in Virginia. In a letter Carolyn
wrote
me shortly before the New Year, and she said these words:
"Brother
David...Connie and I pray for you always. I always see
you
in my prayers like a strong tree whose branches extend out to the four corners
of
the earth. I don't know how God is going to do it, but your ministry is
going
to
bless multitudes. So many are wounded and fearful, and you are going to
be a
fruit
(word) spoken in season."
Slowly, little by little, Carolyn and Connie's prayers for me are
being
answered. And it is only by God's grace that what Carolyn has written here can
come
to pass. For in and of myself I can never become these things.
How thankful I am that God has blessed me with such kind and loving
Christian
sisters. Their prayers and words of encouragement are a continual blessing.
I pray for them, too.
David Berkowitz
April 22, 2004
(c)2004
David Berkowitz
On Tuesday morning I left the prison to go on a "medical trip" to a
large
city. It was an approximately 2 1/2 hour ride both ways.
This was the first time I was out of the facility in several years.
I
rode in a van with two correction officers and an armed correction's
sergeant. But since it was a small vehicle I was able to look out from
the
screened windows.
As per the standard procedure when a prisoner is being transported,
I
had to be handcuffed at the wrists. I also had my feet shackled
together
with cuffs similar to handcuffs, but a little larger to
accommodate
the ankles.
While the trip was interesting although uncomfortable because of
the
heavy
steel cuffs, chains and shackles, I did not want to be reminded of
life
beyond the prison's walls.
The officers were decent, though.
The young guard who had to sit in
the
seat behind me was friendly and talkative. He asked me many
questions
about my faith in Christ. It was one of the most encouraging
conversations
I had had in awhile. This man was really listening!
The hard part for me was not in having to sit with all the security
hardware
on. Instead it was in seeing all the beauty outside the van's
windows.
As we drove passed town after town I saw many lovely but simple
homes. People were working in their gardens or walking about on a sunny
and
gorgeous day.
I saw deer, too. And
there were many rivers, creeks and streams,
all
swollen with water ofter several days of heavy rains.
The hospital, however, was crowded with people. Most of then were
the
medical staff or other workers. But there were others walking about,
too.
With the officers in front and behind me, I shuffled up and down
the
long
corridors wrapped in rattling chains and cuffs. This wasn't a
pretty
sight for anyone to see, I'm sure.
Fortunately very few people even bothered to look my way. They
seemed
more embarrassed than I was to have a prisoner in their midst.
But
I got the exam my doctor insisted that I take.
The procedure lasted for a little while. I was anesthetized for
most
of it. I awoke lying on a portable bed with the guards standing
over
me. A medical technician soon appeared alongside me to ask if I was
okay,
and to let me know that a full report of what they found or did not
find
will eventually be sent to the prison's doctor.
Then it was time to get dressed and be tied up again in the security
hardware
for the return walk to the van, and the scenic ride back to
Sullivan.
I've been feeling a little down today, as expected. Seeing
yesterday's
sights was painful. I was reminded of a world beyond these
walls. It is a world I cannot go to or be a part of anymore.
David Berkowitz
April 28, 2004
Joseph, the Son of Israel (formerly Jacob) is one of my favorite
charcters
in the Bible. I have been going through the Genesis account of
Joseph's
life, again.*
I had written about Joseph in my Journal entry for December 31,
2003. What suffering he endured!
The Lord was molding and making Joseph into the humble man and strong
leader God wanted him to be. Thus Joseph was taken
from a pit to a prison. Then,
after many years in that prison for a crime he did not
commit, the Lord allowed various circumstances to come about that would cause joseph to be placed in a palace and become the second in command to the Pharoah himself.
Although I am guilty of the crimes I have been charged with, as
opposed to Joseph, who was innocent on all counts, I believe the Lord is doing something similar with me as He did for him.
God is taking me along the "narrow road" that leads to eternal life.
Such a road with its narrow passages is filled with many spiritual
potholes,
trials and temptations, But the Lord is with me wherever I go.
And as for Joseph, he eventually obtained his freedom from both
prison and later on, from Pharoah's household altogether. He
was able to return to his father and his family.
Yet while I may never be
able to return to my father or be reunited
with
my family, I am experienceing the same spiritual freedom Joseph had.
David Berkowitz
April 30, 2004
*Genesis
Chapters 37-50
(c)2004
David Berkowitz
