May, 2015
As I sit here today at home with a significant fever, feeling achy, worn out, and generally pretty miserable, I’m reminded how often we take our health for granted. Most of us get up in the morning – maybe with some minor aches and pains – probably tired, yet once we conclude everything is functioning, we are out the door to work or to the day’s activities. We rarely consider what we expose our bodies to or how we nourish them. We expect them to just keep working like usual. Then it happens, something goes wrong and our world stops; a fever, the flu, a sprained ankle, a broken arm, and everything changes. Our schedules change, our activities change, our focus in priorities, even our conversations begin to revolve around the illness or injury.
What if we were to take the same attitude with our spiritual health! Do we ever evaluate how our walk with the Lord is? Or do we take that for granted? Do we head out the door each morning just thinking everything is fine? Do we ever consider what we are exposing our spiritual self to or how well we have nourished our spiritual man? If we neglect and take for granted our physical health, I’m guessing our spiritual health is really neglected. Then something happens – sometimes a physical problem comes and we want to know “where is God?” We want the problem fixed right away. We don’t want to suffer and we can’t understand why God is allowing this to happen to us. Maybe we’ve become ensnared in Satan’s trap or our own besetting sin but can’t figure out how we got there.
If we neglect our health, it will catch up with us physically. If we neglect our spiritual health, that will catch up with us too. Paul tells us physical exercise profits little but spiritual exercise profits much. Let’s get busy evaluating and exercising our walk with the Lord and stop taking that walk for granted.
In His Service Together,
Chaplain Tim Heald
As I sit here today at home with a significant fever, feeling achy, worn out, and generally pretty miserable, I’m reminded how often we take our health for granted. Most of us get up in the morning – maybe with some minor aches and pains – probably tired, yet once we conclude everything is functioning, we are out the door to work or to the day’s activities. We rarely consider what we expose our bodies to or how we nourish them. We expect them to just keep working like usual. Then it happens, something goes wrong and our world stops; a fever, the flu, a sprained ankle, a broken arm, and everything changes. Our schedules change, our activities change, our focus in priorities, even our conversations begin to revolve around the illness or injury.
What if we were to take the same attitude with our spiritual health! Do we ever evaluate how our walk with the Lord is? Or do we take that for granted? Do we head out the door each morning just thinking everything is fine? Do we ever consider what we are exposing our spiritual self to or how well we have nourished our spiritual man? If we neglect and take for granted our physical health, I’m guessing our spiritual health is really neglected. Then something happens – sometimes a physical problem comes and we want to know “where is God?” We want the problem fixed right away. We don’t want to suffer and we can’t understand why God is allowing this to happen to us. Maybe we’ve become ensnared in Satan’s trap or our own besetting sin but can’t figure out how we got there.
If we neglect our health, it will catch up with us physically. If we neglect our spiritual health, that will catch up with us too. Paul tells us physical exercise profits little but spiritual exercise profits much. Let’s get busy evaluating and exercising our walk with the Lord and stop taking that walk for granted.
In His Service Together,
Chaplain Tim Heald
March 2014
Vaughn Correctional Center (VCC) Field Report
Dear Praying Friends,
What a winter! Fortunately the men don’t travel far, so most of our programs continued as long as the chaplain could get to the prison.
As we review the 2013 year there were many additions to our Bible studies and services with an average of 223 men attending our Sunday Services and 26 men attending our general population Bible studies. The studies in the medium-high area averaged 12 men each week. Our studies are interesting, many times going in totally different directions than planned depending on the questions that come up. This helps me stay on my toes with the studies!
Just recently we received a call that an inmate’s family member had passed away. As we researched to know what inmate(s) to notify, we found that there were 16 men (mostly grandsons) all incarcerated for crimes committed. What a job God has entrusted us with; to declare the Gospel and see not only men but entire families delivered from the power of sin.
Please continue to pray for us as we present the only solution for this sin cursed world. Jesus Christ is the answer.
In His Service Together,
Chaplain Tim Heald
January 2014
Vaughn Correctional Center (VCC) Field Report
Our Christmas season at the prison was filled with special services and activities. The Echoes of Joy Choir did a fantastic job with their Christmas program; glorifying God and challenging us to share the good news with those around us.
We also distributed cookies and care packages to all the men. These cookies are prepared by ladies of many of our churches; baking, bagging, and putting a gospel tract in each bag. The care packages include toiletries for the men along with some treats to enjoy.
In all, the Christmas season was a real blessing to all of us at VCC. Happy New Year!
In His Service Together,
Chaplain Tim Heald
Vaughn Correctional Center (VCC) Field Report
Dear Praying Friends,
What a winter! Fortunately the men don’t travel far, so most of our programs continued as long as the chaplain could get to the prison.
As we review the 2013 year there were many additions to our Bible studies and services with an average of 223 men attending our Sunday Services and 26 men attending our general population Bible studies. The studies in the medium-high area averaged 12 men each week. Our studies are interesting, many times going in totally different directions than planned depending on the questions that come up. This helps me stay on my toes with the studies!
Just recently we received a call that an inmate’s family member had passed away. As we researched to know what inmate(s) to notify, we found that there were 16 men (mostly grandsons) all incarcerated for crimes committed. What a job God has entrusted us with; to declare the Gospel and see not only men but entire families delivered from the power of sin.
Please continue to pray for us as we present the only solution for this sin cursed world. Jesus Christ is the answer.
In His Service Together,
Chaplain Tim Heald
January 2014
Vaughn Correctional Center (VCC) Field Report
Our Christmas season at the prison was filled with special services and activities. The Echoes of Joy Choir did a fantastic job with their Christmas program; glorifying God and challenging us to share the good news with those around us.
We also distributed cookies and care packages to all the men. These cookies are prepared by ladies of many of our churches; baking, bagging, and putting a gospel tract in each bag. The care packages include toiletries for the men along with some treats to enjoy.
In all, the Christmas season was a real blessing to all of us at VCC. Happy New Year!
In His Service Together,
Chaplain Tim Heald
