INCARCERATION<\/em>\u2026speaks of confinement of inmates inside a jail or prison. Internment is the imprisonment or confinement of people, commonly in large groups, without trial. The term is a specially used for the confinement of enemy citizens in wartime or of terrorism suspects. Either way, it is simply being \u2018locked up\u2019.<\/p>\n I have spent virtually parts of one day every week for the past 48 years in a prison, jail or juvenile detention center in and around Dallas, Texas. That amounts to about 200 days (6+ months) of temporary confinement for me. I\u2019m still \u2018serving time\u2019, even at 80. Why\u2014is because I took Matthew 25.40 seriously and God directed me to go and teach. \u2018Assuredly, I say to you, \u201cinasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.\u201d\u2019<\/em><\/strong> Jesus went on to define some of the \u2018least of these\u2019. \u201cI was in prison and you came to Me.\u201d<\/strong><\/em> (vs. 25.36b) That\u2019s what takes me back each week.<\/p>\n Not always do you see fruit, but that\u2019s Jesus\u2019 role anyway. I\u2019m planting and watering: he\u2019s giving the growth. But once in a while you just get your pants blessed off you. That\u2019s an expression\u2026O, well! In the current class of 30 dads at Hutchins one guy came up to me last week. Corey is a special student, all into the curriculum. Said he wanted to be a part of Abiding<\/em> Fathers someway when he is released. I hope so. But what he said spoke loudly to me. \u201cBill, I\u2019m not incarcerated, I\u2019m in seminary.\u201d<\/em> He went on to say he made one bad mistake in life and God is using my time here for my good.<\/p>\n Is that not an incredible mindset? It made me think about myself and many of you. You may not be incarcerated in a prison, but your life circumstances may seem as though you are in confinement. Rather than Corey\u2019s philosophy of\u2014God is using your confining circumstances to train and bring about a more productive life in the future. A Psalm speaks to this. \u201cI will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you\u201d<\/strong><\/em> (vs. 32.8,9). Don\u2019t fight what you\u2019re facing, but embrace it as God is building a person better equipped to serve him.<\/p>\n For some men, you see yourself being incarcerated in your role as a husband and dad. It\u2019s restricting, confining! No, embrace it; listen to Corey. He has it right. His eyes are on the present opportunity to grow his future influence for Christ. Believe me when I say, your family and its dynamics, good or bad, are God\u2019s crucible to mold you and shape you, while positively influencing your family, especially the next two generations.<\/p>\n Your children do not need you to do a \u2018prison break\u2019, but to stay the course. They usually lead to more time of incarceration. Perseverance is being developed, one of the several fruit of the Spirit. Probably the issue is lack of contentment with your circumstances. Maybe you feel you are being unjustly disciplined, like most inmates. You deserve better\u2014the grass is greener kind of attitude. Paul, a prisoner several times, attempted to have God remove his \u2018thorn\u2019, only to hear God assure him that \u2018My grace is sufficient\u2019<\/strong><\/em>. His next reaction should be ours. It says it all!<\/p>\n \u201cTherefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ\u2019s sake. For when I am weak then I am strong\u201d<\/em><\/strong> (II Cor. 12.9b-10).<\/p>\n Don\u2019t keep reflecting on your circumstances, but instead, reflect on God\u2019s grace<\/em>, as it is all-sufficient for you to not only endure, but prosper. \u2018Prison breaks\u2019 normally don\u2019t turn out well, but God\u2019s grace always does. Corey and Paul got it right! So can you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Temporary confinement INCARCERATION\u2026speaks of confinement of inmates inside a jail or prison. Internment is the imprisonment or confinement of people, commonly in large groups, without trial. 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Stay the course<\/h3>\n