May 30, 2012
Re: June 2012 Newsletter
Dear Friend,
Father’s Day is June 17, 2012
One of the first commandments we are given in the Bible is to “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12, NIV). Father’s day is quickly approaching and we should take this time to truly honor our fathers. Fathers, like our mothers, help feed us, cloth us, take care of us, teach us right from wrong, and keep us safe. Every day we should be grateful for all they do for us.
Very little is known about Jesus’ interaction with his earthly father, Joseph. He is not mentioned in the New Testament once Jesus starts his ministry, leading most to conclude that he had passed away. But we do know of Jesus’ relationship with his Heavenly Father. Each of the four gospels shows us clearly, that he was submissive and completely honored his Father in Heaven. Jesus was sent to this earth for one purpose; to die for our sins. A task he was asked to do by his Father. This was no easy task. The pain he was being asked to endure is unimaginable.
On the night leading up to his arrest, Jesus went to a garden to pray with his disciples. Jesus went off on his own to pray to his Father. “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39, NIV). “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36, NIV). “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:41, NIV). “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you” (John 17:1, NIV). All the gospels share the same theme, Jesus is asking that a different way be provided, a way in which he would not have to suffer, but ultimately Jesus desired his Father’s will above all else.
Has your father ever asked you to do something so difficult? Should we not follow our Savior’s example and honor our fathers as He honored His? June 17, 2012, is Father’s Day. Take this day and let your father know how much he means to you. Let your actions and your word honor him, just as Jesus honored his Father in the days and hours leading up unto his death.
The Forgiveness Foundation
Christmas Card Outreach 2012
There are seven months until Christmas or 209 days. That may seem like a lot of time but for The Forgiveness Foundation Christmas Card Outreach 2012, that time is short. Every year we send out hand drawn Christmas cards to the over 3,200 men and women on death row. Each card is very time intensive. There is a hand drawn image on the card, a hand written Bible verse and message in the card, and each envelope is hand addressed. On Saturday, September 22, 2012, we will be hosting an event where we are asking all, with a special invitation to the Charlottesville area and University of Virginia students, to come and volunteer their time. At this event, we will be drawing the Christmas cards and writing messages and addressing envelopes. So mark that date on your calendar!
But before this event can take place, we must have the money to purchase the supplies. Prisons are particular about what is allowed through the mail, so we are providing all necessary materials for the cards. We need your financial contributions to purchase supplies. Prayerfully consider a gift to The Forgiveness Foundation Christmas Card Outreach 2012.
Cards and Envelopes $ 969.00
Postage 1,750.00
Red and Green Ink Pens 95.94
Colored Pencils 259.00
Total: $3,073.00
You can make your gift online by going to our website, www.theforgivenessfoundation.org, and clicking on the PayPal logo and following the instructions. If you prefer, you may mail your gift to The Forgiveness Foundation, P.O. Box 2634, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902.
If you are unable to contribute financially or with your time, please give us your prayers! Pray for the artists and inscribers who the Lord has touched to this work, pray for the men and women who receive a Christmas card. Pray especially for those who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
The Day of Pentecost 2012
May 28
Weekly Bible Verses for Meditation, Prayer, and Reflection: Acts 1:1-5, 8 and Acts 2:1-4
If you are reading this on May 28, and live in the United States, you may be celebrating Memorial Day. May 28 is fifty days after Easter and ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven to rule with God the Father. It is also Pentecost, the day the Lord gave the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. The Holy Spirit empowers us to witness concerning the truth about Jesus the Christ. God always keeps his promises and in John 15:26, God promised to send the Holy Spirit – that promise was fulfilled fifty days after Easter – the day of Pentecost.
“In my first book I told You, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach (2) until the day He was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. (3) During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and He proved to them in many ways that He was actually alive. And He talked to them about the Kingdom of God. (4) Once when He was eating with them, He commanded them, ‘Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift He promised, as I told you before. (5) John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ (8) ‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere-in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’” Acts 1:1-5, 8 (NLT).
“On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. (2) Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were setting. (3) Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. (4) And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.” Acts 2:1-4 (NLT).
I encourage you to meditate, pray, and reflect on this week’s scripture passages, Acts 1: 1-5, 8 and Acts 2:1-4, regarding the giving of the Holy Spirit. You may want to read 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 regarding the Holy Spirit.
Scheduled Executions
The following men are scheduled to be executed in June.
- 05 – Henry Curtis Jackson Jr., Mississippi
- 06 – Bobby Lee Hines, Texas – Stayed at request of District Attorney for more DNA testing
- 06 – Abdul Awkal, Ohio
- 12 – Richard Levitt, Idaho
- 12 – Jan Michael Brawner, Mississippi
- 27 – Samuel Lopez, Arizona (Rescheduled from May 16)
Please pray for Henry, Bobby, Abdul, Richard, Jan, and Samuel. Pray for salvation if unsaved, peace if saved, and if any of these men are innocent that it be discovered before they are executed. Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ died for the forgiveness of Henry, Bobby, Abdul, Richard, Jan, and Samuel’s sins at Calvary. All that remains is for them to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, to receive the free gift of salvation and eternal life. Please pray earnestly for these men, keeping in mind that in God’s eyes, murder is a sin and in the eyes of Mississippi, Texas, Ohio, Idaho, and Arizona, murder is a crime that, in these cases, is punishable by death. At Calvary, over 2,000 years ago, Jesus accepted the punishment for the sin of the murders these men committed and now they need to accept the salvation and forgiveness Jesus desires to give them.
Godspeace!
Rodney Rexrode, The Forgiveness Foundation