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~Pt. 2~DONKEY TRACKS" ~~
~TRAILS OF LIVING~ TO HONOR THEIR SOULS
Perhaps you have never heard of Katherine Lawes. Katherine was the wife of Lewis Lawes, warden at Sing Sing Prison from 1920-1941.
Sing Sing had the reputation of destroying wardens. The average warden's tenure before Lewis Lawes was two years. "The easiest way to get out of Sing Sing," he once quipped, "is to go in as warden." In his 21 years he instituted numerous reforms - and an important part of his success was due to his wife Katherine.
Katherine took seriously the idea that the prisoners are human beings, worthy of attention and respect. She regularly visited inside the walls of Sing Sing. She encouraged the prisoners, ran errands for them and spent time listening to them. Most importantly, she cared about them. And as a result, they cared deeply about her.
Then one night in October of 1937, news was "telegraphed" between the prison cells that Katherine was killed in an accident. The prisoners petitioned the warden to allow them to attend her funeral bier. He granted their strange request and a few days later the south gate of Sing Sing swung slowly open. Hundreds of men â felons, lifers, murderers, thieves â men convicted of almost every crime conceivable, marched slowly from the prison gate to the bier, reassembled at the house and returned to their cells. There were so many that they proceeded unguarded. But not one tried to escape. If he had, the others may have killed him on the spot, so devoted were they to Katherine Lawes, the woman who daily walked into Hell to show the men a piece of Heaven.
Katherine's strength was to see the men less as prisoners and more as individuals. Thomas Moore has said, "We can only treat badly those things or people whose souls we disregard."
To treat people well is to honor their souls. To honor their souls is to understand what it means to love your neighbor.
By Steve Goodier  2004
~TRAILS of LIFE ~ Reflecting the Son ....The Olympic flame has come back to Greece, bringing the Games back home 108 years after their revival. The Associated Press reported that the Olympic flameâs unprecedented relay, which spanned 26 countries beginning on March 25. The sun's rays, reflected in a mirror, lit the torch. It then traveled 46,800 miles through Australia, Africa, South America, Asia, Europe, and America. The torch arrived yesterday at Marathon, about 25 miles north of Athens, near the place where the Athenians defeated Persian invaders in 490 B.C. (The legend of the messenger Pheidippides and the modern "marathon" were the result.) The torch will spend tonight on the Acropolis hill, then arrive at the new Olympic stadium tomorrow. The Olympic news is not all good, however. Greece's public order ministry has now admitted that seven two-way radios have been stolen from Olympic officials. They were to be used as part of the security network for the Games. And so the first awards have been givenâgold medals for embarrassment. As you probably know, the first known Olympic contest took place in the Stadium of Olympia in western Greece, in 776 B.C. The initial purpose of the Olympics was religious, honoring the gods of the people. The Games also brought together athletes and spectators from across that part of the world, promoting peace and harmony. The modern Games were first proposed by Baron Pierre de Coubetin, a French educator. He thought that resurrecting the Olympics would again promote world peace and harmony. The result was the modern Olympic movement which began in Athens in 1896 and returns there this week. We will pray for the safety and security of the Games, and that they fulfill the purpose for which they were created. If greater peace and harmony are the result of these weeks, they will be worth their cost and more.But the Olympic torch will not last beyond the Games. At the closing ceremonies it will be extinguished, not to be relit until the next Olympics. Meanwhile our fallen world will continue its war with terror, conflict, and darkness. More torches are needed. Jesus boldly informed his followers that we are the "light of the world" (Matthew 5:13). He then instructed "let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (v. 16). As with the Olympic flame, we are torches lit by reflection from the Son. So, how clean are our mirrors? At what source are they pointed? Who will see Sonlight in your reflection and mine today? Copyright  2004. James C. Denison
~TRAILS of SCRIPTURE~
I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. --1Corinthians9:26````````````````Play To Win , Many years ago, a young heavyweight fighter held the world boxing title. But his reign was short-lived. He was a power hitter--strong as a bull. But he hadn't learned how to avoid getting hit. He also had a problem exercising self-discipline in his social life. As a result, he soon lost his title. This boxer's experience is duplicated all too often in the spiritual arena. Many talented Christians make a fast start in the Lord's service. But without an overall plan to conquer the enemy, they are soon defeated.The apostle Paul said that in his battle with sin he tried to make every blow effective. He did not want to be like a boxer whose punches merely strike the air (1 Cor. 9:26). The apostle was a competitor who disciplined himself to make all his moves count toward the ultimate decision.Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 show the strategy that is needed to endure spiritual battles and to have a lifetime of effective service for the Lord. He said the Christian life takes commitment, knowledge, stamina, and love, which are gained through the power of the Holy Spirit. Yes, to have a victorious Christian life, we need a comprehensive strategy for winning. --MRDII Come, Lord, and give the vision
To arm me for the fight;
Make me an overcomer
Clothed with Your Spirit's might. --Anon. Life is a series of battles--are you training to win? (Daily Bread)
~TRAILS of PRAYER~ Dear Lord, You have said: "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."* Many of Your people across this land, in cities and towns, in churches, parks and homes, observe a day of prayer each year. ... Open our eyes to see the error of our ways. Forgive us for thinking that we can re-design You to fit today's social changes. Help us to see that Your moral order was meant for all generations and that we are the ones who need to change. ... Forgive us, for we have often denied our Christian heritage. We have been deceived and have allowed others to lead us astray. How we must have grieved You! ... Give us spiritual insight and a desire to seek Your will -- for our nation, for Your churches, and for our lives -- lest we fail You and fall into a quagmire of our own making. In Jesus' holy name we pray. -- Amen.
~TRAILS of a RIDER of GRACE~
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