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Tuesday With Joe Waldrup
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Posted: Nov 12, 2007
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On a few occasions, while at church, I had casually mentioned to Joe Waldrup that I would love to go with her when the next time she went on her prison ministry visit. My comments usually came after she passionately shared a story about a prisoner she was helping. This time was different. This time Joe called my house and asked, “Do you still want to visit the prison with me?” With a hesitation, and yet remembering my past casual remarks, I responded with a hesitant, “yes.”
I did want to go and I didn’t. I had never been to a prison. Entering the prison doors would definitely be out of my comfort zone. I wasn’t sure I wanted to go there…if I went God might want me to go again…and again. If I didn’t go I wouldn’t know the drive behind Joe’s passion for these folks. My desire could remain that fussy warm feeling that you have for someone who is ministering outside the norm. I could stay the person who encourages her and pats her on the back for a job well done—for a job only a few would venture out to do.
On July 31, 2007 I met Joe in the parking lot of the Michaels store in Cool Springs. I parked my car and climbed into her white Buick and on we went. As we started to drive off I thought to myself, “I should have offered to drive.” But, I will confess at Joe’s young age of almost 90, she is a very good driver. She respects her age and knows to play it safe. I remember looking over at her thinking, “Wow, I hope I can look that good and function that well at 90.” I hope I can live with such passion at 90 or 80 or anytime.
On the way over Joe shares with me the schedule for the day and how things have changed over the 14 years of prison ministry. I can’t think of anything I have committed to for 14yrs except my family, marriage, and diet coke. What is it that drives someone to commit to a mission for such a long time? To a mission where there is no pay, no “earthly” reward or glory. She isn’t spending the day with the so-called beautiful people, the high achievers, or the most talented. And yet to Joe they are all beautiful because she doesn’t view them through the eyes of the world—she views them through the eyes of God and they know that. They see it in her eyes and hear it in her voice.
As we enter the prison doors all the Guards know her by name and are sincerely glad to see her. They take care of her every need and without question she is a permitted access through the metal detector and then through several-locked doors. We slowly walk through a couple of corridors that are heavily populated with male prisoners. I will confess…I was a little apprehensive…okay, a lot. Not Joe, she walked through with a mission and kindly spoke words of love to the men as we passed by.
We came to a room where we would meet with the ladies. Joe arranges the chairs and lays a bag of books out that she has collected to give…some that have come from members at ClearView. The warden, a firm but nice young lady, informs Joe that she will be sending her first group of ladies down soon.
“Ms. Joe, I have missed you. I was hoping you would come this week.” Joe had been out for a few weeks due to an opened wound. A grandmother came into the room over flowing with joy that she was getting to see Ms. Joe. For about twenty minutes Joe was able to spend some quality time talking with her and hearing about her life. She was a sweet lady with a quit peaceful spirit. During her time in prison and with the help of her friend Joe, God had been working in her life. She was actually one of the more fortunate ones; she had a family waiting for her on the outside—a strong family and a son who was a minister.
Once again I hear the words echo several times, “Ms Joe, we missed you.” In walk about ten girls smiling from ear to ear. They walk over to great Ms Joe and then swarm the table looking for books to read. Looking for a hidden treasure to take back to their cell for those times when they are desperate for a word of hope.
All of a sudden I realize I am in a room with a group of enthusiastic lady prisoners. Excited about sharing their lives with Ms Joe and with each other. This was a time where they had the freedom to share what was going on in their lives…the good and the bad. “The good,” what could possibly be good about being in prison. This was a time where they could spend many hours alone with God…seeking Him for hope and answers. Prison was a safe place where they didn’t have to worry about their next meal, a roof over their head, being abused or hunted down. This was actually a time where they could find a friend, support, and encouragement. For some this is where they would meet Jesus for the first time and would gain a friend for eternity. For all of them this was an opportunity to make a change.
The girls shared their stories with us. They shared what God had been teaching them. They shared what changes they hoped to make when they got out. They shared their desire for change…to do good. As we listened Joe shared God’s Truth with words of love and encouragement. For myself, I was taken in. I couldn’t hold back from joining in and sharing words of inspiration. Words that only God could form and give. For the next few hours as we shared with numerous groups of girls. Except for the uniforms and the locking of the door, I almost forgot we were in prison. It wasn’t any different than being in a room at a church talking with a group of ladies—a group of ladies who were at the end of their selves, who were in the pit needing a helping hand to get out.
In the last session I sat next to a young 19-year-old girl who shared how she just couldn’t get it together. The times she came to prison she would pray and want to do good but then would go right back to her old ways. She was tired of the cycle…she accepted Christ. We celebrated her spiritual birthday with her as she started her new life in Christ. The past was history…all things were made new. She will need lots of encouragement and support; both of her parents are in jail. Her mother is in jail with her just in a different block. She will need a miracle.
Joe and I drove away that day…free to go as we please. On the way home, we stopped at a run down apartment complex so Joe could visit with an X-prisoner. She had a bag of books and words of encouragement to share with him. Her ministry doesn’t end when she leaves the prison doors. She thinks about the prisoner’s daily, and unselfishly gives of her time and resources. It is her calling—her passion. She longs to visit the prison…to bring the love of Jesus to them. It is emotionally draining but for that special day, Joe is tireless.
“So, what do you think?” Joe asks. Honestly, I didn’t know how to reply. I had never dreamed about ministering to prisoners. Was I taken in, did I experience joy in sharing with the ladies and seeing a young girl come to Christ? Yes. Was it my passion? I don’t know. But I can tell you one thing you have to be filled with the power of Jesus Christ to walk through those doors. You have to be confident in who you are and in your calling, because Satan doesn’t want you there. He even showed up at one of the meetings and he knew who to question…the new girl…me. Will that keep me away? NO. I will continue to walk through the open doors of opportunity to share Jesus. I will visit the prison again and learn from the tireless passionate missionary, Joe Waldrup.
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God’s Good Purpose
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Posted: Mar 21, 2006
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“Continue to work out your salvation, for it is God in you who wills and acts
according to His good purpose.” Philippians 2:13
Most often when this verse is quoted we are confounded by the word “work,” but as I have put this verse to memory I find myself taken in by the words, “good purpose.” What encouragement, motivation and hope God gave us in these two words. God doesn’t say anything about giving us anything bad or discouraging. Yet, He encourages us by pointing out that His purpose is good and He is the one who wills and acts in us His good purpose. So keep the faith, keep persevering no matter what your circumstances are or what is going on around you. God’s purpose is good and He is working in you to see that it is accomplished. The end result is and always will be according to His “good purpose”.
Why should we continue to work out our salvation? When we think of work we tend to think of physical or mental labor, but there is more to work then that. There is a reward and satisfaction that comes from accomplishing a task, a job, or a goal. But even more so, "to work" means that you are progressively moving forward regardless of your situation. When you work it usually calls for endurance with a spirit of learning. This means you are growing, you are learning, you are gaining new insight with new knowledge.
There is a passion, a drive that desires good results. The greatest comfort received from working out our salvation, is understanding that God who does the work in us. The work is not according to our own ability, but according to our faith. It is not according to our own strength but according to God's power. It is not according to our knowledge but it is according to his promises. We work by continueing to seek Him and humbling ourselves before Him. Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek ye first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” As we continue to seek the things of God, the things that please Him, then He will continue to work in us. He will give us what is good, what is satisfying, and what is best for us. “And my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 31:14b
God is good and He has a good purpose for us, He cares for us, and desires to meet our every need. We just have to keep the faith and, “Continue to work out our salvation, for it is God in us who wills and acts according to His good purpose.” What a good God we serve!
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Value Loyal Friends
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Posted: Mar 9, 2006
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A Man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24
With life being busied by demanding jobs and too many commitments, it is easy to find ourselves at the end of the day with no one to talk with or to whom we can call friend. Instead of focusing on befriending people, we focus on the next to-do item on our lists.
To be a friend we must be friendly. To have a friend takes a focused initiative to become a friend. To remain a friend takes a conscious effort to commitment. Life is sweeter knowing we have friends, friends that stick beside us through the ups and downs of life, friends with whom we can share our accomplishments, and friends we can consider "closer than a brother."
Is there someone you would like to have as a friend? Make an appointment to chat over coffee with that person. Do you have a friendship that needs to be cultivated? Nurture the relationship by doing something special for that person. Take time away from your busy schedule and be a friend.
Peggy Reeves (as published in "Open Windows" Spring 2006, LifeWay Resources)
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Mom's Christmas Gift
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Posted: Dec 17, 2005
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One early winter morning in December, I reached in my jewelry box to pull out a necklace to wear. It was my beautiful blue glistening topaz necklace my mother gave me; it took me back to the Christmas right after my mother died. This would be the last time we would receive a gift from her. Her gifts were always very special and had much thought and love put into them. It was never about how much she could spend on us or about giving us what we wanted, instead it was always about giving us something very special, something she thought we would love, and something she thought would reflect how much we meant to her. My mother couldn’t shop the malls because of her cancer and two hip replacements, so she would sit for hours in front of the TV watching QVC, her favorite shopping network. I especially remember the shopping season right before she died, she wanted to make sure she had that very special gift for each of her children, her daughter and son in laws, and her grandchildren. Even though her body was frail and weak from the cancer she would still spend long hours waiting to see just the right gift appear on the shopping network. She was determined to make sure this Christmas would be extra special, knowing that she wouldn’t be there to celebrate it with us.
As I put on my blue topaz necklace that cold December morning, I felt inner warmth as I was reminded of the love and care my mother had for me. I remembered how she would spend much time and effort making sure my gift was personal and special. I remembered how each Christmas we would anticipate that special gift with expectations of something unique and special, something that we would proudly cherish and wear so others could admire. It was amazing out of all the gifts; Mom's Christmas gift would always be one we couldn’t wait to open.
After putting on my necklace and wiping the tears of love from my eyes, again I glanced down into my jewelry box and saw even more adorning expressions of her love. Once again, I was reminded that Christmas isn’t about what we give or how much we spend for the gift, it is about giving out of love, and it is about expressing a love deep within, a love that exceeds far beyond the gift.
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