“Hope is essential.” (Lester Holt)
This declaration near the close of “Life Inside” on tv struck a chord with me. I agree with its truth both inside and outside the walls of maximum-security prison.
“Life Inside” is a powerful episode of NBC’s “Dateline.” NBC News and USA Today recently collaborated for an in-depth look at criminal justice reform and mass incarceration in America.
This news article last week by Lester Holt is part of the NBC News series, “Justice for All.”
“Lester Holt: What I learned from spending two nights in a maximum-security prison; The anchor of “NBC Nightly News” embedded with inmates at the notorious Louisiana State Penitentiary, known as Angola.” (NBC News)
More than half a century ago Angola Prison earned the nickname as “the deadliest prison in the South.” Now Angola remains the largest maximum-security prison in the country with a higher rate of incarceration than almost anywhere else. Holt went inside Angola “to see mass incarceration in its extreme.” (Holt)
Louisiana dropped from having the highest to second highest incarceration rate in the USA since in recent years Oklahoma rose to having the highest.
I thought Holt’s stories of Juvenile Lifers in Angola were especially thought-provoking. These men were youth when they committed their crimes, and many are now elderly (and dying due to terminal illnesses and old age).
Holt’s tv episode, news article, and interviews considered punishment, retribution, rehabilitation, prison reform, etc. Perhaps they leave us with more questions than answers, but they should make us think about the matter that needs to be considered. I like that he included hope as an element — an “essential” element — in this important story.
Holt learned a lot from inmates (some who will parole and some who never will) and also correctional staff….
“During my visit I learned a lot about the value of hope, like the excitement generated when incarcerated men faced the parole board. I was surprised to see corrections officers quietly rooting for prisoners they thought particularly deserving of release. Some even confided their disappointment when those inmates were turned down for parole….
I was equally surprised to hear from some of those officers that removing the possibility of parole makes prison more dangerous for all. They told me the introduction of programs and learning opportunities for prisoners, especially lifers, has improved conditions at Angola and made their own lives appreciably better.
At the prison’s automobile repair program I met a lifer by the name of John Sheehan, who teaches job skills to men who are nearing the end of their sentences. Sheehan will never leave Angola, but he tells me teaching others has given him validation.
‘You know that you’ve done something, and your life is worthwhile,’ he told me.
On the outside, criminal justice reforms are often weighed against hard data points on recidivism risk and crime. Living on the inside, I found it to be a complex world filled with contradictions and still rooted in punishment but aspiring to be a place of rehabilitation. A work in progress that is now getting the attention it demands.” (Holt)
Thanks, Mr. Holt, for your sensitivity and willingness to explore and share a powerful “real life” story and your discernment and wisdom to recognize an essential element in all our lives.
In my mind I still hear an echo of Holt’s words, “Hope is essential,” and I add a heartfelt AMEN!
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
“Remember the prisoners as though in prison with them….” (Hebrews 13:3)
If you’re a fan of the films of the Kendrick brothers (Director Alex Kendrick and Producer Stephen Kendrick), then you may have watched their newest release, “Overcomer.”
It’s a mix of hope, humor, and heart (overcomermovie.com). If you’ve seen it, then I suspect you agree. If you haven’t, then I recommend you make plans to see it.
Endorsements are numerous and impressive. In the first couple of weeks after its release the box office proceeds have exceeded the film’s budget by millions. Clearly others besides me want to see this kind of family-friendly movie.
If you’re in need of more hope, humor, and heart in your life, then go experience “Overcomer.” Remember to tell others about it. Chances are their lives would benefit from such a film as well.
Thank you, Kendrick brothers and crew! God is blessing your efforts, and we are blessed as a result.
Their other inspirational films that have given us hope include “Facing the Giants,” “Courageous,” “Fireproof,” “War Room,” and more.
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” (Phillipians 4:8)
Today is our 32nd wedding anniversary. No couple spends this many years together without experiencing lows as well as highs.
As I think of our 25th anniversary, I remember that’s the one that we celebrated apart. My spouse was hours away in cancer treatment while I was home and at work. The memory of wedding vows related to “in sickness and in health” had real meaning that year.
Today we’re celebrating together, and we appreciate this circumstance more because of our past experiences. Today brings a reminder of blessings we should not take for granted.
We are both cancer survivors, so I remember another low 10 years ago. We went through it and emerged stronger. Our Christian faith was the “glue” that held us together in dark days of not knowing the outcome of surgery, 5 years of exams and tests, and temptation to yield to fear before a pronouncement of “cancer-free.”
I appreciate my spouse more than I show. I am thankful for marital blessings that have added a beauty and richness to my life.
Today another anniversary is here. I remember those in our past, and I am hopeful for those in our future.
I’m glad to say we’re still together in this marriage. We still believe in our vow of “till death do us part,” and our God still fills us with hope that lasts.
“Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” (Psalm 85:10)
“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls; for he has not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
“Put me like a seal over your heart, Like a seal on your arm.
For love is as strong as death,
Jealousy is as severe as Sheol; Its flashes are flashes of fire, The very flame of the Lord. Many waters cannot quench love, Nor will rivers overflow it….” (Song of Solomon 8:6,7)
“Nevertheless let each individual among you also love his own wife even as himself and let the wife see to it that she respect her husband.” (Ephesians 5:33)
“Finally, be you all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love… be courteous.” (1 Peter 3:8)
In August 1955 a horrendous crime was committed when a 14 year old boy, Emmett Till, was brutally murdered in Mississippi. I was only a baby at the time of his death, but I remember when I later learned about it and could barely believe such evil had happened. Even today — decades later — I choose to refrain from writing about his death and the real sorrow it evokes and will focus instead on the memorial sign and the hope associated with it.
According to Tara Law’s recent article in “Time” magazine about the Emmett Till memorial, here is where it stands so to speak….
“A repeatedly-vandalized sign remembering the death Emmett TiIll, a 14-year-old boy whose August 1955 murder in Mississippi called attention to the epidemic of racist violence against African Americans, will be replaced with a bulletproof sign, the Emmett Till Memorial Commission has said.
The sign, which has been replaced three times since it was first erected in 2007, will be replaced with a metal marker weighing between 500 and 600 pounds, Patrick Weems, the commission’s executive director, tells TIME.
Vandals have repeatedly attacked the sign and previous markers. In a little over a decade, the signs have been tossed in a river, splattered with acid, shot up, defaced with KKK graffiti and stolen, according to the commission.
‘What gives us hope is that the country cares,’ Weems says. ‘Our county is one of the poorest in the nation. These signs have been put up with private funds from the community…. We have moral responsibility to make sure that the sign keeps getting put back up,’ he said.” (Tara Law)
Tara Law may be contacted at [email protected].
Donations may be made to Emmett Till Memorial Commission (a 501C3 organization).
“But the one who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” (1 John 2:11)
“If someone says,’I love God’ and hates his brother, he is a liar for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen, and this commandment we have from Him that the one who loves God should love his brother also.” (1 John 4:20, 21)
Someone giving of oneself to help another in need shows a better part of humanity. I recently learned about some volunteers called “angels in orange” that show love, offer hope, and express kindness by their actions. United Hazallah in Israel is an organization that provides hope both for those needing emergency medical assistance and to those looking for ways to help meet such medical needs. Their unusual methods inspire this hope and result in extraordinary success.
To increase survival chances after an emergency happens, medical treatment must be quick. With uniquely designed ambucycles (specially equipped motorcycle ambulances), United Hatzalah’s volunteer medics perform fast and free care to thousands. Their work is impressive and brings hope.
“United Hatzalah of Israel is the largest independent, non-profit, fully volunteer Emergency Medical Service organization that provides the fastest and free emergency medical first response throughout Israel. United Hatzalah’s service is available to all people regardless of race, religion, or national origin. United Hatzalah has more than 5,000 volunteers around the country, available around the clock – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. With the help of our unique GPS technology and our iconic ambucycles, our average response time is less than 3 minutes across the country and 90 seconds in metropolitan areas. Our mission is to arrive at the scene of medical emergencies as soon as possible and provide the patient with professional and appropriate medical aid until an ambulance arrives, resulting in many more lives saved.” (Israelrescue.org)
I am thankful this worthwhile work is multiplying, and the more work there is then there’s more hope for needed emergency care. Now in addition to United Hatzalah of Israel, there’s Friends of United Hatzalah in the USA; British Friends of United Hatzalah in the UK; Ihoud Hatzala France in France; and United Hatzalah Canada in Canada.
United Hatzalah is a fine organization that welcomes your request for the latest annual report, which may be obtained from Friends of United Hatzalah, 208 East 51st Street, Suite 303, New York, NY 10022 or from the New York State Attorney General’s Charities Bureau at Charities Bureau, 28 Liberty Street, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10005.
Check out this organization and remember their amazing work when you’re ready to make a donation. Go to www.israelrescue.org for more info.
“But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.”
(1 John 3:17, 18)
Did somebody say CHOCOLATE???
It seems that University College London (UCL) has researched the relationship of chocolate and depression. Their study indicates that those who eat dark chocolate are less likely to be depressed.
If you haven’t noticed, there’s been a lot of research in chocolate over the years. Personally I would welcome the opportunity to participate in a chocolate study. I want to decrease my risk of depression, and I prefer chocolate over almost anything else!
Knowing there may be a real health benefit just sweetens the taste of dark chocolate on my taste buds.
Will I go so far as to say the study gives me hope? If I enjoy something so much AND it’s good for me, then it may be easier to be hopeful. Especially when it reminds me of an even greater hope (more on that later).
The UCL team in the United Kingdom worked with scientists in Calgary and Alberta, Canada. The UCL press release headlined, “People who eat dark chocolate less likely to be depressed.” It was a proclamation that blessed my chocolate-loving palate! See the scientists’ results that were published in the journal, “Depression & Anxiety.”
Dr. Sarah Jackson of UCL explained that more work may be needed to better understand and determine the “type and amount of chocolate consumption for optimal depression prevention and management.”
Dr. Jackson, I VOLUNTEER for future studies (all in the name of science of course)! To all the researchers, thanks for the hope!
As I think… desire (… crave?) chocolate I remember the goodness of God. He loves me and has a wonderful plan for my life, and He deserves my desiring Him with all that I am.
Psalm 34:8 says, “O taste and see that the Lord is good! How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.”
Now there’s sweet hope that’s even better than chocolate!
If you believe that science disproves Christianity, please read this post with an open mind. Please ponder the experience of a prominent and respected man of science and determine if his finding may become a personal reality in your life.
Born in 1950 Francis Collins became Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In 2007 his bestselling book was published. The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief explained his findings on the relationship of science and faith.
Collins described his conversion from atheism to Christianity. He also shared his viewpoint that the God of Christianity is compatible with Darwin’s theory of evolution.
Collins wrote an essay for CNN: “I have found there is a wonderful harmony in the complementary truths of science and faith. The God of the Bible is also the God of the genome. God can be found in the cathedral or in the laboratory. By investigating God’s majestic and awesome creation, science can actually be a means of worship.” (F. Collins)
Collins’ beliefs from both his heart and mind give me hope. You may or may not learn to agree with him, but seriously consider the possibility that he’s discovered Truth. If you see a glimmer of hope in His experience, then please search for yourself.
Truth is worth the effort to find. Along with it you may also find the Way and the Life.
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by me.'” (John 14:6)
“Because He Lives” is a well-known song that is sung by many Christian singers. Its focus is on the resurrected Jesus, but the second verse refers to another precious aspect of life.
“How sweet to hold a newborn baby, to feel the pride and joy he gives. But greater still the calm assurance this child can face uncertain days because He lives.” (Bill & Gloria Gaither)
Today is my son’s birthday. I remember when he was born at 3:45 AM on July 22. I remember how sweet it was to hold my newborn son, to feel the immense pride and joy he brought. A marvelous parental love that became an integral part of me joined hope for his future because Jesus lives.
Today my son remains a source of pride and joy. These years have gone by quickly for this parent. Uncertain days come more than go, yet I am hopeful, because Jesus still lives.
I have learned that the important focus of life — like the song’s focus — should be the resurrected Jesus. Then we can know God’s blessings and be hopeful, and that’s my birthday prayer for my son… for him to always know God’s blessings and be hopeful.
Happy birthday, Son! Thanks for the joy you give!
I have been told at least once that I am “one in a million,” but that’s not the truth. I may be more accurately one in 600 million! (There pops that bubble!)
It is estimated that 600 million people watched the 1969 moon landing. After all these 50 years I remember the event, who I was with, and where we were. I consider it both a memorable moment in my life and historic moment for earth’s humanity.
That event gave hope to many especially those with hope in Man’s scientific achievements generally and NASA’s space program specifically.
There is a more significant moment in time that impacted my life even more and was one that I did not witness. It occurred almost 2000 years before I was born. It happened for the world of humanity, yet it happened for me personally.
Jesus Christ willingly died for me then invited me to come to Him to receive His amazing grace and love; to be forgiven and transformed; to live for Him and to live with Him in eternal glory. His plan was for me although I was a mere flawed human being and whether I was the only one or one in millions or billions.
To born-again believers this event brings the greatest hope. Hope placed in this One Who gives eternal life will result in life everlasting, because He triumphed over death. His resurrection proved He is worthy of our hope and trust.
I may not be one in a million to the world, but I’m thankful to be individually chosen by the One true living God Whose salvation plan included me. That thought gives me hope bywhich to live and to die.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“And hope does not disappoint, because The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who was given to us. For while we were still helpless at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5: 5, 6)
“That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” (Neil Armstrong, July 1969)
I recommend this book as a good choice when looking for a true story of love and hope….
Hope Heals: A True Story of Overwhelming Loss and an Overcoming Love by Katherine Wolf & Jay Wolf
The Amazon book review asked, “When all seems lost, where can hope be found?” (www.amazon.com)
This couple’s true story answers that question as it explains how overwhelming loss is overcome by love.
Katherine and Jay Wolf, a young married couple and parents of a baby boy had dreams and plans for adventure and love but not for overwhelming loss. In an instant their world changed, and they found themselves in critical need of overcoming hope.
Without warning Katherine suffered a massive brain stem stroke. Not a coincidence but a miracle, Jay arrived home in time to get medical help. With a narrow chance of survival, a micro-brain surgery was quickly performed on Katherine.
After removing part of her brain, the surgeon was wholly uncertain regarding Katherine’s recovery, yet a tiny glimmer of hope was present. Katherine lived in ICU on life support for 40 days then remained almost 2 years in brain rehab. Against odds, hope grew ever brighter, but… could hope heal?
Despite discouraging prognosis, together Katherine and Jay planned for the best future possible. Katherine worked relentlessly to regain basic skills including talking, eating, and walking. Together they realized they had received a second chance and determined to live life fully even though life now was far different than once planned.
Struggling through both tremendous physical and mental difficulties, Katherine and Jay found hope. It was a hope that heals where it counts the most, our souls.
Their story tells of real-life extreme challenges but also documents a beautiful journey from overwhelming loss to an overcoming love. This family has endured for more than 11 years the daily challenges that are evidences of Katherine’s stroke. Their story offers hope through Christ. Their experiences led them to encourage others through a ministry they named “Hope Heals.”
Learn about real hope… read this book and know for certain that hope heals.
” [Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails….”
(1 Corinthians 13: 7, 8)
“I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
