Former Prison Inmate Honored for Prison Ministry

My friends, Dave & Patty R. volunteer much of their time in prison ministry.  This article is a great story they shared with me about how God can work consistently in the lives of even those with the most hardened of hearts.

Life of crime began at age 5
FORT WORTH, Texas –– Lonnie Bingmon, a man who has been in youth detention centers nine times and in jails or a prison six times, received The President’s Volunteer Service Award for his ministry in prisons.  “Your volunteer service demonstrates the kind of commitment to your community that moves America a step closer to its great promise,” said President Barak Obama in a 2011 letter announcing the honor.

Lonnie understands the needs of those in prison since he has spent years behind bars. His life of crime began at age 5 when he was with two 10-year-old boys who threw a rock through a Dallas bank window. That was the first of his many brushes with the law.

Introduced to Jesus 

 “One day at age 9, I was going through alley and saw a tree with pears on the upper branches,” said Lonnie. “When a little white lady saw me looking at the pears, she got a broom and started knocking some down for me.”
Still today, Lonnie gets a little choked up as he recalls the lady who “was nice to a little black kid.”

The woman invited Lonnie into her house and introduced him to Jesus. “One day you will be a mighty man of God,” she said.

Lonnie returned to visit her on five occasions. “She read the Bible to me, and she sure could cook. Both of her sons were behind bars at that time. Billie Joe was in prison and Jerry was in the county jail.”  While Lonnie wanted to be a “mighty man of God,” he was still under the influence of other boys who showed him quick routes to money and nice things.

A tattered old Bible

In 1979, Lonnie saw some inmates tearing pages out of Bible to roll cigarettes. “Even a crook like me knew nobody should light up Luke or roll up Romans,” he said. “I stole that Bible that night and when I was sent to a Midway, Texas, prison for armed robbery, I took that raggedy Bible with me.”

“I read the story of the prodigal son in that old Bible,” said Lonnie. “My foreign land was prison, and I knew that I could be welcomed home.”  During the four years Lonnie spent in prison, he read from the Bible with the missing pages and later he read a new Bible provided by the prison chaplain.

Bob Hayes, former 100 meter Olympic champion sprinter and Dallas Cowboys football player, was in prison with Lonnie. One day, Lonnie told him, “You may be the fastest man on the planet but you couldn’t outrun God.”
“You’re right,” Hayes replied.  Hayes may have been denied entrance to the NFL Hall of Fame because of his imprisonment for illegal drug use.

While in prison, Lonnie became a certified welder. “I had 876 hours of welding time,” he reports.  In 1981, after being released from prison, Lonnie received a job as a welder after he voluntarily repaired a damaged gate. “I was glad to show what I could do,” he recalls.

Shot in head 

On Jan. 15, 1982, Lonnie got out of a cab and saw his little brother, Paul, and George McAlister going into Caesar’s Palace. “I asked the doorman if I could speak to the men who just walked in,” said Lonnie. “Before I knew it a guy pulled a gun and we started tussling and as I tried to leave I was shot in the right side of my head.”

Rushed to the hospital by ambulance, members of Lonnie’s family were told they should make funeral arrangements.  “My father, a three-time loser who had also been shot in the back and later became an ordained pastor, said, ‘If God can deliver me, he can deliver my son.’

“I recall seeing a shining figure on the other side of the room,” said Lonnie. “He said, ‘Peace . . . Be still . . . It’s not your time. . . . You have work to do.’”  Lonnie lost his left eye and he is partially paralyzed on the left side, but he proved the physicians wrong and his father right. It is still difficult for him to walk and he has trouble lifting his left arm.

His early attempts to find a church home were disappointing. “You should be with your own kind,” some church members told him. “You just don’t fit in.”  For 18 months, Lonnie wandered the streets. His mother suffered a heart attack and 13 family members died in a 15-year period.  “I was angry, frustrated and depressed,” said Lonnie.

Work in food pantry

After finally refusing to take any more drugs, Lonnie walked into Calvary Baptist Church, and told them he wanted someone to pray with him. “I know you are here to see Dixie,” said a church member.

Dixie Gross managed the food and shelter center. “I’ve come for prayer, not food,” said Lonnie. At that point Dixie and her three children, ages 5, 8, and 10, placed their hands on him and prayed for him. “God, give Lonnie another chance,” they prayed.

Lonnie worked in that food pantry for the following three years. “I even asked God to forgive the guy who shot me,” he said.

Move to Fort Worth

In 2000, after his mother died, Lonnie moved from Dallas to Fort Worth where he found his way to Alliance UMC. It was there that he engaged in a life-changing Walk to Emmaus in 2003.  It was also in the Alliance church that Lonnie met Mike Springer, chairman of the Texas State Chapter of Kairos Prison Ministry (http://www.kairosprisonministry.org/).

When Mike asked Lonnie if he would be interested in participating in a prison ministry team, Lonnie responded. “Brother, I’ve been looking for this my whole life.”

“And I’ve been looking for you,” said Mike.

“In 2004, I went to my first Kairos meeting and I’ve been rolling ever since,” said Lonnie.

A mighty man of God

The lady with the pear tree promised Lonnie that someday he would be a mighty man of God. Even President Obama now recognizes that her promise has come true.

© 2012 General Commission on United Methodist Men, Nashville, TN • Powered by The A Group

Second Chance, by Eileen Hinkle Rife

Check out the newest book to hit the markets for avid Christian Fiction readers!

Second Chance, by Eileen Hinkle Rife

What inspired you to write your newest book, A Second Chance? 

A poignant story of middle age, surprising friendships, and unexpected places. I was inspired by my own journey through the empty nest and her daughter’s and son-in-law’s work with inner city teens.  

What is this story about?

Mave Robertson, a recent empty nester, wants the fire back in her marriage, but her husband, Jerry, remains aloof. Is he having an affair? A midlife crisis? When a neighbor suggests she “get a life,” Mave accepts the challenge and volunteers at an inner-city teen ministry where she is thrown into a culture of drugs, gangs, and unwed teen moms. She soon discovers someone she can help, but might he also be the cure for both her stale marriage and her crumbling relationship with her father? 

What's that little hook I keep seeing all over the place?

Dareece Jackson, a teen from the projects, wants something in Mave’s purse…and he’ll stop at nothing to get it.  You'll have to read the book to find out more.  :)

Tell us a little about your life, please.

An alumna of Christian Writers Guild and member of American Christian Fiction Writers, I've published several non-fiction books, written newsletters, a marriage column, and over ten church dramas. My byline has appeared in magazines, such as Discipleship Journal, Marriage Partnership, Mature Living, Christian Home & School, Drama Ministry, and ParentLife, as well as other print and online publications. My fiction works include Journey to Judah, Restored Hearts, and Chosen Ones in the Born for India trilogy, and a stand-alone novel, Second Chance. My husband, Chuck, and I conduct marriage seminars in the states and overseas. My favorite pastime in this season of life is dancing with my hubby, spending time with my daughters and sons-in-law, and playing with my six grandchildren. 

The Lord's Prayer

David wrote a heartfelt prayer to God in Psalm 23.  It's probably one of the first passages you learned by heart; it was the first chapter I learned by heart at a young age of 6.  It was also my grandmother's favorite.  She's the one who taught it to me when I was so young.  My daughter, Sydni, also learned the passage by the time she was 5.  I doubt either of us truly understood the words at those young ages, but it would resonate in our hearts until one day later we were mature enough to grasp its beautiful message.

God planted this scripture in my heart, and the hearts of so many, for comfort, guidance, and a reminder that He desperately wants to be our Guide in life.  It's interesting, but the promises in this Psalm are all truth in our lives because of Jesus' death and resurrection.  A Psalm written hundreds of years before Christ's birth prophesied the promises that we could count on after His glorious resurrection.

One of my favorite Bible translations is Eugene Peterson's The Message.  Following his model, I'd like to share my own version of what Psalm 23 has meant, and still does mean, to my life.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Jesus Christ is my Savior, my Redeemer, my Best Friend.  With Him in my life, I don't need anything.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Even though I'm often stressed, He gives me peace and tranquility in life.  Sometimes He just makes me stop and count my blessings instead of concentrating on the bad stuff.

3 He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

And when I screw up, He forgives me because of Who He is and Whose I am.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

And sometimes when I screw up really bad, and sin has a death grip on my heart, deep down I still know He is with me.  He just waits patiently for me to come to my senses, sometimes with a little tough discipline along the way.  But always He reassures me that I'm still His.  He knows I have faults, but He looks past them to reassure me and meet my needs.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

When life get tough and I feel so totally wronged by, or frustrated with, others, He reminds me to focus on Him and the joy He lays out before me every day.  Then, He forgives me, again, for the evil thoughts I held against those who hurt me.  And I realize once more that with God, I lack absolutely nothing in life.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

I am certain that Jesus Christ will continue to pour out His blessings, His love, His forgiveness, every moment of my life.  And someday, I am going to spend eternity in Heaven with my Savior and, hopefully, everyone I've had the joy of knowing and loving on earth.

(Scripture from Psalm 23 KJV.)

Experiencing Shekinah: Are You Standing in the Radiance of God’s Glory and Love?

"Then Moses said, 'I pray You, show me Your glory!'" (Exodus 33:18 NASB)

Moses and the Israelites had been in the desert for a long time. They were all growing rather impatient...actually, they were all really sick to death of wandering in the hot sand and eating manna. The people complained incessantly to Moses; Moses complained to God. God listened. Luckily for the Israelites, Moses found favor with God, causing God to spare the Israelites...one more time. During one of the Tent Meetings (Exodus 33), God and Moses had a heart-to-heart conversation something like this:

GOD: Get these people out of here now. And I won't be going with you because they are driving me crazy. I just might destroy them all if I stay with you any longer.

MOSES: You told me to lead these people out of Egypt. And now we're wandering and you won't let me in on Your secrets about what comes next. These people are driving me crazy too! If you still love me and want me to lead them somewhere, do something about them. And let me in on your plans so they will know that you still love me and them.


GOD: Okay, because I love you so much, I'll go with you and the people ... again.

MOSES: That's good, because if you don't go with us, we aren't taking another step. Besides, you promised that these were your chosen people. How can we believe we are special when you abandon us in the dessert?

GOD: Moses, you are very special to me. I'll do what you ask. Name it, and it is yours.

MOSES: Wow! Okay then. Show me your glory.

GOD: Now Moses, if I really let you see my full glory, it would kill you. But I'll pass before you now and cover your eyes so you can experience the fullness of my glory and not die.

And with that, God—in all His Glory—passed before Moses, veiling his eyes so that Moses would live. As Moses' eyes were opened again, he had the amazing honor of seeing God's back as He passed by revealing Shekinah—being in the ultimate presence of God's Glory. In fact, the whole scene was so powerful that Moses' body radiated brightly from just the "aftermath" of God's glory. The people had to cover their eyes when they saw Moses!

The story continues for many more years, unfortunately, as the Israelites continued to struggle with trusting God in everything. Yet, Shekinah never left their presence. Moses fully understood God's unconditional and intense love, even for a group of people that exasperated Him nearly every moment!

God's love is as unconditional, as passionate, as faithful today as it was thousands of years ago. If He could love the Israelites in spite of their whining, bickering, thievery, adultery, idolatry, etc., then surely He can still love you and me. In fact, that's what God is about—Love. No matter how badly we screw up, He still loves. No matter how horrible the sin, He still forgives. No matter how often we make the same mistakes, He continues to wipe our slate clean so we are, once more, worthy of experiencing Shekinah in our daily lives.

Do you feel like God's love is out of your reach? Are you able to love others? Or, do you find it nearly impossible to love and be loved? No matter how far you remove yourself from the love of others, you will never be out of God's reach. His loving arms are always open to you. Always! No matter how much you push others away, you can't push God away. No matter how long you avoid the risk of a relationship, God still watches over you praying that you will take that first step toward Him. You see, nothing you can do will ever make God go away. You may feel like He's not there, but that distance is you walking away from Him. God will never walk away from you. Ask Him to show you His glory today; He will! And, you will radiate with a glow that just might make others around you put on their sunglasses! Your life will never be the same once you take that first step into Shekinah.

Alzheimer's: Finding Peace in the Midst of the Agony

My sister and I stood in the funeral home singing, one last time, for our grandmother.

“To the old rugged cross, I will ever be true

It’s shame and reproach gladly bear

Then He’ll call me someday, to His home far away

Where His glory forever I’ll share!

(Rev. George Bennard)

My grandmother was 84 years old when she died, having suffered over a decade with a terrible disease known as Alzheimer’s.  She used to tell stories of her life to anyone who would listen.  Alzheimer’s took away all her stories.  For the last eight years of her life, she didn’t even know my sisters or me when we visited.  She rarely recognized her own children – my dad and aunts and uncles.  Her communication had regressed from mumbling to moans to silence.  Her facial expressions had long since been replaced with blank stares by sunken eyes.

The summer before Grandma went to be with Jesus, we took a family caravan to visit her in the Owen, WI nursing home.  My husband, two-year-old daughter , and four-year-old niece accompanied my parents and myself on the trip.  We even timed the trip to coincide with Grandma’s 84^th birthday that July.  During the seven-hour drive from Springfield, IL, the girls drew and colored numerous pictures and birthday cards for their great-grandma.  Shortly after our arrival, we all strolled through the garden courtyard surrounded by the four walls of the nursing facility.  Sitting together on a large swing, the girls presented their precious gifts to Grandma. 

My grandmother hadn’t spoken or made eye contact for at least a year by that point.  She barely stood upright, causing us to wheel her through the gardens on our “walk.”  But at the presentation of those beautifully colored cards and signs, Grandma reached out and smiled as she gladly accepted the beloved gifts.  Then, as two toddlers sang “Happy Birthday to You” at the top of their lungs, my grandmother looked up at them, smiled, and reached toward them.  Tears filled the eyes of every adult as we realized God had just given us a precious gift of a moment’s time interacting once more with the woman we used to know and love.  It was the last time I saw my grandmother alive; God planned the perfect timing of that precious memory for each of us.

John 16:33 (NIV) says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  We can expect trouble as part of life.  Some suffer more than others.  But Jesus can take away the troubles in our lives because he “overcame the world!”  My grandmother suffered for 10 years, losing her memories and all sense of those who loved her.  But, praise the Lord, she is at peace now!  She is in His Home, sharing in His Glory forever!  I’m so thankful that God chose that summer day to give us a glimpse of that peace He knew she would soon enjoy with Him.  Now I can find peace and comfort as I think of those memories and of my grandmother dancing on Heaven’s streets and telling all of her stories to anyone she meets!

If you would like to learn more about Alzheimer’s, and the amazing woman I called Grandma Lottie, please read Finding My Smile.  Over five million Americans suffer with Alzheimer’s right now, as you read this blog, possibly as you suffer with a victim in your own family.  While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s at this time, perhaps this story will give you and your family a little bit of peace and encouragement during the difficult days.  God is still there in your loved one’s life; He’s still there for you.  He never leaves you or your loved one; His comfort is infinite if you trust in Him.

Author Bio:

Janice’s passion for researching Alzheimer’s began with her grandmother’s diagnosis.  Through God’s infinite patience, she was able to find comfort and answers during the regression of two additional family members suffering with Alzheimer’s.  Today, Janice is dedicated to writing stories that provide this same peace and comfort to others struggling with this disease.  If you'd like to read more, take time to read Janice's newest book, Finding My Smile. You can learn more about this book and Alzheimer's at:  http://www.findingmysmile.com.