Jens Soering, a German citizen currently serving two life sentences in Virginia, is the author of numerous articles and books in both English and German. His English books include The Convict Christ: What the Gospel Says about Criminal Justice, Church of the Second Chance: A Faith-Based Approach to Prison Reform; and The Way of the Prisoner: Breaking the Chains of Self through Centering Prayer and Practice. His latest book is his account of the events that led to his imprisonment. You can find more information on all of his books at http://jenssoering.com/publications.
prison
Lent 2A
“Born Again”
by AMN
John 3:1-17
Jesus was and still is the greatest teacher that walked this earth. So much so, that one of the highly recognized scholars of Jerusalem acknowledged it. Continue reading
PCA Devotions for Lent
Prison Lectionary will not offer new Lenten devotions as we did last year. However, we recommend that our readers check out the Lenten devotional entitled “Show and Tell” available free-of-charge from Prison Congregations of America. You can open and download the booklet directly HERE.
Lent 1A
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
Psalm 32
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11
Here, at the beginning of our Lenten journey, the lectionary gives us readings on sin, temptation, and the human inability to “get it right.” Later, when Paul will remind us how all have sinned and fallen short, we will look back to these readings. This is where it all begins.
What is it about the human condition that is so beautiful, and so flawed? To be able to walk and talk with God, to work the garden and take care of it, to rejoice in one another – this sounds idyllic. Life created never to end, but always to rejoice in one another.
Continue reading
Transfiguration – Last Epiphany A
by Terrance “Lil Bear” Plummer
Matthew 17:1-9
NO ONE IS EXCLUDED FROM THE CALL, SEEING THE GLORY, AND LISTENING TO JESUS
We often feel marginalized by free society, those of us in prison. Many of us don’t believe that God would want to call us for anything. We often feel alienated from God, and disqualified from any service in The Kingdom, because of where we are. Continue reading
Poem: “Reconcile” (Colossians 1)
As I look at what my life has been like for me I often feel like I am a survivalist on the path of self destruction.
In 1990 “Self Destruction” was a number one song but that was more than 20 years ago and we still haven’t gotten the message.
Does every black man feel this way or am I the exception, just some twisted contradiction from my true reflection of GOD’s perfection? Continue reading
Lectionary: Epiphany 3A
“Whom Should I Fear?”
Psalm 27
by AMN
Many times over the course of my life, I became overwhelmed and fear overtook me. Anxiety set in and I began to think that my life was over and that was not going to be able to overcome. Continue reading
Poem: “Blood, Sweat, and Tears”
by AMN
Blood, Sweat and Tears,
constant heckling and nasty jeers.
Wrongfully convicted by a jury of
His peers.
When He gave up the ghost,
A soldier blatantly chose
To pierce His side with a spear.
That’s the same pain I felt when
the judge handed me sixty
years,
Blood, Sweat and Tears…
Lectionary: Epiphany 2A
Isaiah 49:1-7
Psalm 40:1-12
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
John 1:29-4
The words of the prophet Isaiah contain four “servant” songs, and today we read from the second one. Each of these songs assumes the guise of The Servant of God, and praise God for all that has been, is being, and will be done. But who is the servant? Continue reading
Christmas in Prison 8
“From Magic to Miracle”
by Marcos R
Silent night… Holy night… All is calm… All is bright is crooning out of my old school General Electric Superadio II (1970’s model boom box) while bright flashing images of holiday commercials, Christmas movies and Charlie Brown specials splash across the bed sheets and bland narrow cell walls through my 2008 model RCA digital bubble TV screen. I channel surf while sitting on my top bunk, lost in my thoughts, missing my sons… Continue reading
Prison Lectionary 