True Freedom

Freedom comes in all shapes and sizes.

And for Mitchell Rutledge, this rings true. He finds himself behind bars, but totally free.

Mitch grew up, essentially an orphan who had to learn how to fend for himself. He got involved in the wrong crowds from an early age and got involved with drugs and ended up murdering someone. He found himself on death row facing the death penalty in Alabama. This is where Burton and Anita Folsom enter the picture.

In their book, Death on Hold, the Folsoms relate their story through the lens of Mitchell. He speaks candidly about life in prison which led to his redemption, spiritually speaking. Burton and Anita Folsom interject their story throughout the book as well.

This book shines the truth on the life-changing Gospel as well as what love can do for one person who has never experienced it. Mitchell never knew anyone who loved him. He was uneducated and was seen as a retard. All because no one took time to invest in his life. Although he remains behind bars, he was able to have his sentence reduced and lives his life for Christ each and every day.

This book will push you to love. It is a powerful thing. Ultimately, Christ's love is what makes the difference. We have such an incredible responsibility to be a mirror of that love to a lost and dying world.

P.S. I received a free copy of this book as part of the Booklook Blogging Network.

Another One For Those Needing Freedom...Namely My Hoss

A Special Friend, A Special Ministry

This last weekend we finished up a holiday tradition that became part of the Ponderosa a couple of years ago.

We have a special friend, Laurie Borland, who lost her dear husband, Tim, this last June. Together they have ministered in the prison system teaching Inductive Bible Study to the men who find themselves behind bars...some of them for a very long time. They have been in ministry for 15 years or so with Jesus Only Way Ministry. Since Tim's homegoing, there has been a special man who has taken over the teaching portion of the ministry. We pray for God's direction for our dear sister and friend.

Each Christmas there is a care package put together to give to the men who attend the Bible Studies. We send a Christmas card, with 10 blank note cards and 10 stamps. Things like this we take for granted, but the truth is this is a luxury for many of the people who are incarcerated. Ministries like Jesus Only Way not only make this possible, but also are giving the Bread of Life to many who are very hungry and malnourished. We thank the Lord for those who are sent to the "least of these" and ask God's blessing on them. Missions is taking place in places both far and near.