Bad news, good news
As the assigned organist for our Sunday morning worship service, I was sitting right under Pastor Nate's nose when he informed the congregation, "I have bad news and good news for you today. The bad news is that you're not in control. The good news is that you're not in control." Boy, did the President of HUMANITY FOR PRISONERS ever have to hear that message this week.
On day one of the business week, I was startled by a telephone call from a prominent attorney who has agreed to help us with James, who had been promised a deal by the state for critical testimony in a murder trial. The state is now hesitating, and our case is not being helped by a judge who is refusing to discuss the matter. The frustrated attorney finally headed out of town in his car, hoping to catch the judge unawares. Whoa!
On day two, I received a disturbing message from the sister of a prisoner. Harry has been informed that there's a contract on his life. He's afraid of being stabbed and killed. Harry is the second friend of ours in Chippewa now living under a death threat. It's easy to just dismiss this and say that these are the things that happen in prison. But stop to think about it for a minute. These guys are human beings, and have feelings and emotions no different than yours and mine. You are able to go about your business today. Harry and Lester don't dare go for a walk outside their room. They're living in the private hell of fear for their lives.
On day three, a fine criminal defense attorney and I will be planning our strategy to present the case of David to an Innocence Project. David has exhausted every avenue available through the courts, and even though I believe in his innocence, the judicial system hasn't seen it that way. This is critical. If we don't do it right, and an innocence team rejects this request, David's hopes will be dashed. That's heavy!
I've never lost the faith in my 75 years of existence.
But Nate's timing could not have been better with the reminder that if God is for me, who can be against me?
On day one of the business week, I was startled by a telephone call from a prominent attorney who has agreed to help us with James, who had been promised a deal by the state for critical testimony in a murder trial. The state is now hesitating, and our case is not being helped by a judge who is refusing to discuss the matter. The frustrated attorney finally headed out of town in his car, hoping to catch the judge unawares. Whoa!
On day two, I received a disturbing message from the sister of a prisoner. Harry has been informed that there's a contract on his life. He's afraid of being stabbed and killed. Harry is the second friend of ours in Chippewa now living under a death threat. It's easy to just dismiss this and say that these are the things that happen in prison. But stop to think about it for a minute. These guys are human beings, and have feelings and emotions no different than yours and mine. You are able to go about your business today. Harry and Lester don't dare go for a walk outside their room. They're living in the private hell of fear for their lives.
On day three, a fine criminal defense attorney and I will be planning our strategy to present the case of David to an Innocence Project. David has exhausted every avenue available through the courts, and even though I believe in his innocence, the judicial system hasn't seen it that way. This is critical. If we don't do it right, and an innocence team rejects this request, David's hopes will be dashed. That's heavy!
I've never lost the faith in my 75 years of existence.
But Nate's timing could not have been better with the reminder that if God is for me, who can be against me?
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