I went to Prison this week.  Not literally, but I went to school on Prison Ministries of all kinds as Midday Connection focused an entire week of programming on Prison Ministry.  My eyes were opened to this 2.5 million member incarcerated population who is largely voiceless.  We tried to give voice to their needs as we presented a variety of ministries on the program.  We talked about adults behind bars, juveniles as young as 8 years old behind bars, and we talked about women who find themselves in jail.  I learned that those who are incarcerated are wide open to the gospel of Christ.  I was reminded as I read stories in letters and emails we received from prisoners and their families that God is a pursuing God and He will follow us anywhere, even into prison to bring us face to face with His son Jesus.  Please pray for the men and women who are incarcerated as well as those who are in the trenches ministering to them. 

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There is something exciting about a brand new book.  Because of what I do, I receive hundreds of them over the course of a year and  I still like looking at each one.  You’d think I’d get tired of the ongoing parade of titles across my desk.  I don’t.  Moody Publishers just shipped me a brand new book that you’ve got to know about.  O.K., I’ll come clean.  I’m so excited because my name is on the cover.  It’s titled “Daily Seeds: from women who walk in faith:”.  It is a devotional  by women, for women.  The Midday Connection team, Melinda Schmidt, Lori Neff and me, edited and contributed to the devotional.  We also have contributions from some of our favorite Midday guests like Jan Silvious, Dee Brestin, Shaunti Feldhahn, Margaret Feinberg, Lynne Hybels, Leslie Parrott, Leslie Vernick, and Linda Mintle, just to name a few.  For me, this book holds a special place because I contributed 50 of the devotionals to this project.  That’s a big step for me and I’m feeling what other authors have told me I’d feel……naked!  You put yourself out there…….and then you wait and see what people think.  I can definitely say because I’ve read most of the other devotionals in the book, that you’re in for a treat if you buy a copy of “Daily Seeds.”  The Midday team thinks it would make a great Christmas gift, best friend gift, mothers day gift, and anytime gift.  Sorry for the shameless promotion, but I confess, I am really excited!!

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We finally aired the programs focusing on the Justice Journey on Midday Connection.  I felt like it was akin to giving birth, frankly.  The Justice Journey itself was such an emotional experience and I realized during the course of recording the programs that I couldn’t begin to fully convey the essense of the experience.  Still, I had to try.  I was surprised and touched by the email response we received in our Midday Connection email box.  I felt like people did hear our hearts.  With me on the program was Pierre Chestang, one of my Moody Radio colleagues and a friend for about 30 years now.  I wanted Pierre to go because he’s black.  I wanted to be able to dialog about this experience with the other participants on the Journey, but also with someone of another race that I’d worked on and off with for a number of years and someone who knew the climate of our workplace.  I’m so glad Pierre was able to go.  I know the Justice Journey made a deep impact on my soul and you’ll hear in the broadcasts if you head back to our archives, that the same was true for Pierre.  To listen to the two days of Justice Journey programs head to www.middayconnection.org and click on the “past programs” tab and go to Sept. 18 and 19.  I think you’ll be encouraged and challenged.

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