The most meaningful message that can ever be told is the message of the cross. No event in history has had a greater impact on humanity than the crucifixion. It is at Calvary, the place of the Skull, at Golgotha, that we clearly see the heart of Jesus. For many the cross has become nothing more than a sign, symbol or trinket. As a Christian there should be nothing more important in our lives than the fact that Jesus died for us personally, as well as for the sins of the whole world. If we are going to imitate the one who died on the cross, then it is essential that we have a accurate understanding of all that He accomplished there in those six hours one Friday.
 Jesus spoke some powerful messages. I wish I had the tapes. The most powerful message he ever spoke was not the sermon on the mount, but the sermon from the hill of Calvary. If you were to read all the accounts of the crucifixion you would find that there were seven different messages spoken from the cross. Words of forgiveness, comfort, words of anguish, words of hope, words of victory and commitment. In these messages we see clearly the heart of Jesus.
 The first word was the word we need to hear the most. But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34 (NAS) As he looks down and sees the soldiers gambling for his last possession, He prays a prayer for their forgiveness. What a contrast we have here - the soldiers trying to get something for nothing while God is trying to give them what they need the most.
 The original language indicates that these words of Jesus were a repeated prayer, that this was not just a one time utterance by Jesus, but that he had been praying it for awhile. I wonder when he first prayed this prayer ?
 Was it in the garden of Gethsemane, when he found his disciples sleeping? Was it when Judas betrayed him with a kiss? Was it when he looked out the window and saw Peter, a strong man that just earlier that evening swore he'd never deny him, now in the courtyard cursing him because he was afraid of what some little girl might think of him? Was it when Pilate abandoned him and gave his pardon to a murderer because he was afraid of the crowd and wanted to preserve some sign of his own neutrality? Was it when he heard the crowd crying crucify him? Was it when the soldiers mocked him, taunted him with words of mockery and hatred? Was it when they pressed a crown of thorns into his scalp and then repeatedly hit him on the head with a rod? Was it when he felt their saliva trickle down the side of his face? Was it when he felt that 39th stripe painted in his own blood on his back because of their brutality? Was it when he looked over and saw the solider place a 6" spike on his hand and draw the sledge hammer back and with all his strength drive the stake through the hand that never harmed anyone? But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them... POWERFUL WORDS.
 What love and compassion for undeserving men!  What a Savior! What a revelation of God's seriousness concerning sin. What a demonstration of his love for lost people. This is the very heart of the message of the cross.
 When we are tempted to sin, remember what it cost God to pay for our sin. He paid it in full. The blood is enough. Jesus shed His blood on Calvary for you and I and the sins of the world. Be forgiven, and let others know they can be forgiven, too.
 

 I read somewhere that people will work harder for approval and encouragement than they will for money. I believe that is true. The people who receive the fruit of this ministry cannot pay for it in money, but they sure know how to pay in encouragement. I want to share with you a few things different men have written to me, because you make it possible for me to do what God has called me to.

..."Since you have been coming in and teaching I have seen many men come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. The brothers are coming together more now than I've seen in 13 years there is more love and unity and I thank God for the wonderful work that he has done. Surely the spirit of the Lord is upon you..."

Another Brother wrote:

Bro. Jim when you started teaching about the body of Christ, it's purpose and out reach to a needy world we began to take on a new focus that has resulted in the strongest church fellowship that I've witnessed in my 15 years here. To be honest, before we found true purpose I was at the point of almost throwing up my hands and giving up..."

A young Christian wrote this to me.

..."This is my first time I go to Church. I know I did wrong in my life I am tired of letting my family down I pray to God every night to help me be strong..."

I wish you could see the men's faces. They have such light in their eyes.. no longer darkness. They are more joyous to be around than many "free" people.
 

1. Pat and I will be making a long trip without our children. Please pray for our whole family and the success of our journey.
2. Pray for the Churches in prison. I hate to miss my time with the men. Pray that help the leaders there to be even stronger men of God.
3. Pray for our finances. As the temperature rises, it seems like the finances dry up.
 

 One may wonder what Mother's Day is like for a mother of five, especially with the age range that we have (ages 3-15). We can always envision home made cards, lots of hugs, and for sure dinner out. Well, I'm rarely disappointed, because my husband has trained our children well in the area of showing their mother appreciation and love.  However, this year I was given the most unique "gift" out of all the years of celebrating Mother's Day. I thought it so appropriate, and it represented perfectly the dedication, patience, and never-ending compassionate touch that only a mother can give. What kind of gift could that possibly be you ask?  Rachel and Jimmy both broke out with chicken pox the day before Mother's Day! (Jim graciously and thoughtfully stayed home with them to let me attend church services on Mother's Day.) Since Jimmy ended up with two pustules in his right eye, he had a pretty miserable couple of days. Rachel cried a few times, because she definitely did not like having all those "spots" all over her.  However, she did feel a little bit better one day when she looked up at one of her teenage brothers and exclaimed "Hey, you have spots all over your face, too!" Fortunately, he thought it was funny, and had a good laugh.
On June 23rd Jim and I will be leaving to spend 11 days in India.  Yes, you read it correctly! Our precious friends, the McManuses, who serve in ministry there, left for the mission field in 1988 about eight months before Jim started into full time prison ministry.  In fact Jeff McManus gave generously to us prior to his family leaving for Bangladesh stating that he wanted to be the first to contribute to Jim's ministry.  (Jim didn't even have one at the time, but opened the ministry account with Jeff's gift.  It is the same account that we have today.) Jeff and Kim McManus have served faithfully, and have been through many hardships that would have driven most people home. The Lord spoke clearly to Jim and I to make a trip to India at this time to encourage and love on the McManus family, of which will we do joyfully. Our children will all be in Texas with friends and family from June 23 through July 7. When we started looking around for items to sell to finance the trip, it's amazing how much needless "stuff" can accumulate over the years! Please, pray for our entire family during this time of separation. Pray for our safety and health, but pray especially that the Lord will use us in a mighty way while we are in India.
 

We are Grateful

 We realize what an awesome privilege it is to be able to speak into the lives of so many people. Not for one moment do we take it for granted. We love and pray for all of you. Thanks for making Reconciled Ministries a reality.