Eight years of ministry ---- and counting

 
Years are funny things.  They, like a storm, can come up on us quickly, or slowly cloud in upon the horizon.  2020 has been a gully-washer of a year.  Coming in with political intrigue, Australian fires, a hail storm called COVID pummeled our world.  COVID and its effects have shut down governments, companies, schools, even worship.  The storm continues on as man decides what to do next.

This year has shaken the world by its foundation.  Something so small, microscopic, has paralyzed us in fear.  A virus, unseen by the human eye, has sabotaged man's great outward achievements.  

A year is the time it takes for the earth to move around the sun.  God watches every minute, holding our earth and universe in His mighty hand.  Not one event happens without His sovereign control.  Yes, even the bad things.

Yet as I sit at my desk overlooking the trees, I have joy in my heart. 

This next month starts a new journey around the sun for me:  our 8th year of the ministry "Joy Through The Stamp".  Started by God, provided by God, flourished by God, this little ministry has touched hundreds of inmates and shut-ins around the country.  I look at my list ---- many names have come and gone.  I have close to 100 on my current list but many have been on it at some point.  Some folks are out of prison and on their own.

  I received a photo of a man I wrote to who just bought his first ATV up in Vermont.  Another man is starting his own prison newsletter and ministry.  A woman got out, remarried and has started a wonderful new phase of life.  Several say they want to minister to prisoners with their life testimonies.  Some teach the Bible in prison.  Some I have lost contact with as they were moved to a new facility.   Sadly, I have taken the call from a prison to state the inmate had died; I was the only one on his contact list.  This ministry has stretched me in ways I would never imagine.

But oh the glory!  Hearing people's prayers answered; reading the encouragement they are experiencing through our friendship; people learning to read the Bible as a living book.  The blessings in God's kingdom are so abundant.

The number 8 has special meaning in the Bible.  It is known as the number of "Grace" and "New Beginnings".  Noah exited the ark on the 8th day.  Jesus exited the tomb on the 8th day.  There are 8 Beatitudes. Some consider 8 the personal number of Jesus Christ; when we add together the letter values of the name Jesus in the Greek we get 888.  The Bible describes the Feast of Tabernacles. This feast is said to have lasted for eight days. The number eight associated with this feast can show us that this feast was to celebrate a new beginning and celebration.  The list goes on.

As I enter this 8th year of ministry, I see the storms swirling around us in the world --- chaos, looting, protests, sickness, poverty.  But I also see the rainbow of hope, life and growth that God is doing in the prison systems across America.  His Word is going forth and bringing fruit.  God's mercy is reaching the dankest cells and barred cafeterias.  Praise God, He is working in the storm, through the storm, and above the storm.  And amazingly, God has asked me to have a small part of this vineyard.  I am humbled and thankful for it. I'm not worthy.  But Jesus is, and makes me worthy every day with his fresh mercies each morning. No matter the storm.

Happy 8th birthday, Joy Through The Stamp.  I look forward to God's work this year, to His glory. Eight candles of fruit for the kingdom.
Amen.

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