Notes from the Chaplain 3
Every week, I share a "Note from the Chaplain" to the guys in our local jail to connect with them and to encourage them. I shared a few of these letters in a two previous blogs and I wanted to continue sharing. (notes 1 and notes 2). I am convinced that we ALL need encouragement. We ALL face battles, struggles, and resistance. We ALL need someone lifting us up. I hope these letters can remind us all to look around and find the hurting and lonely who need a kind word and some encouragement. We have a responsibility to care for each other and show kindness and compassion.
Again, thanks to Sheriff Scott Southerland and Jail Commander Tony Sciscoe for their work here in Brown County and for allowing Jeremy Keller and me to visit the guys in our jail. Thanks to the volunteers on the jail ministry team. And thank you to all who work in our jail and for those serving in the Sheriff’s Department.
Please pray for our local jailers, officers, deputies, dispatch, administrators, office personnel, and their families. These are amazing people doing important work and we are blessed to have them serving Brown County. And of course, pray for those in jail and for their families. Pray for meaningful changes and healing in their lives.
Thank you!
A Note from your Chaplain
April 23, 2019
Hey there, brother. Grace and peace to you. I’ve said it before, but I love how Paul starts his letters with this greeting. And I think about that greeting a lot. I think about the fact that really, grace is a gift. A gift given out of love. It’s not something we deserve or can earn. It’s something we simply receive. And because of grace, we can have peace. And this peace gives us a sense of calm and quiet. It gives us a sense of trust that everything is going to be okay. What a great way to start a conversation! With grace and peace. That’s good stuff!
Gaining and Giving
So we have this gift of grace that helps us find peace. Imagine if we could greet each other with grace. A grace which can help others find peace. This makes me think about when Jesus was asked what was the greatest command in Matthew 22 and Mark 12. He said that loving God was the greatest command and the second greatest was loving others. So we gain love and we give love. We gain grace and we give grace. We gain peace and we give peace. Keeping that in mind, here’s something to consider. We may or may not be given love or grace or peace in return from those around us. But I don’t think that really matters. What really matters is that we are simply sharing what has been shared with us. It’ a gift.
Your Identity
One of my favorite books is Atomic Habits by James Clear. This is a terrific book that teaches the process of change and how to make change that lasts. James teaches that real change involves change in both attitude and behavior. One idea I really like is that we can choose to change our identity at any time. We can do that with a simple statement, a simple thought, and a simple action. Make a statement. “I’m the kind of person who _________.” And just fill in the blank with whatever quality you want. Then, throughout the day, think about what that person with that quality would do. Then do it. Build an identity with small thoughts, small actions, and small changes. Over time we’ll find big results.
Forgive
Building an identity can be tough. Change is tough. It takes practice, and mistakes will happen. Any time we try to make a change in our lives that matters, we have to be willing to forgive the mistakes. Mistakes are proof that we’re trying. Mistakes are necessary to learn. Mistakes help us see where we need improvement. So we don’t have to feel bad about mistakes. We have to learn from them. That’s where forgiveness comes in. Forgive yourself. You’re not perfect. You’re learning. You’re improving. You’re developing your identity.
Gaining and Giving Forgiveness
When we make mistakes, we need to accept responsibility and move on. We definitely need to apologize if our mistakes affect others, but we learn, we forgive, we improve, and we change. We learn to accept forgiveness. And in the same way, we learn to give forgiveness. When others make mistakes, forgive them. Remember that they are not perfect either. This is a great daily practice. Forgive yourself and forgive others. See their mistakes and your mistakes as opportunities to grow and learn. Be the kind of person who forgives and shows compassion. Be the kind of person who is building an identity over time. Be the kind of person you want to be. Practice being the person you want to be. Forgive yourself in the process. Give forgiveness. Gain forgiveness. Give grace. Gain grace. Give peace. Gain peace.
We’re Here For Each Other
Remember that Jeremy and I are cheering for you. We’re rooting for you. We’re praying for you. And please remember us in prayer as well. We’re all working to learn and change and grow and improve. We’re all defining our identities every day. Embrace the process. Enjoy the process. Grace and peace to you in the process. God bless!
Thom Miller
BCSD Chaplain
Mark 12:30-31, Matt 22:37-40; Gal 5:22-23; Rom 12:2;
1 Thes 5-16-18; Eph 3:16-21; Eph 4:1-3, 32; 1 Cor 13:4-7, 13;
Psalm 46:10; Rom 8:37-39; Phil 2:3-5; Phil 4:4-7;
James 1:22-25; John 3:16-17, 21; Rom 12:12
A Note from your Chaplain
May 10, 2019
Hey there, brother. I’m praying for grace and peace to you. I’m praying that you give yourself permission to accept grace and feel peace. I’m praying that you know you are worthy of grace and worthy of peace. I’m praying that you can take each new day as a gift and an opportunity to accept and offer grace. To accept and offer peace. To accept and offer compassion. To accept and offer forgiveness. I’m praying this for you. And I’m praying this for me.
Taking a Step Back
In an effort to gain peace, it helps to take a step back and just observe and pay attention. To listen. If you’re like me, you like having the answers, you like having things figured out, you like being right, and you like certainty. The problem is that we often don’t have all the answers. And we have to remember that life is full of mystery. I think it’s easy to get frustrated and even angry when we’re not heard or when we have something to say and others won’t listen to us. That frustration and anger can steal our peace. I’m reminded of James 1:19 where it says we should be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” I actually take that as, “listen and discuss, don’t dig in and argue.” There is a lot that we don’t understand and lot we can all learn from each other. When we listen, we can step back and think. Then we can take things up with God in prayer. And when we do this, I believe that this helps us find a little more peace.
Love, Joy, Peace
I love Galatians 5:22-23. This is the passage that talks about the “Fruit of the Spirit,” which basically describes what it looks like when people are headed in the right direction. This is what people should see when they see us. Here’s the list of qualities to work toward: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. And drawing from other passages, I think we could also add “compassion, gratefulness, and forgiveness” to that list. Take a moment to think of those first three: love, joy, and peace. Who is someone you know who truly lives with love, joy, and peace? Now think of someone who has patience and kindness. Now think of someone who is faithful, gentle, and self controlled. Having these qualities helps us develop a powerful lifestyle. It’s a lifestyle we can practice and work on every day. Try picking one of these qualities. Pay attention to yourself today. Look for it in others today.
Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly
Here’s another great thought from Micah 6:8. It’s simple, yet powerful. Act justly - do the right thing. Love mercy - give without expecting anything in return. Walk humbly - keep the ego in check. These are great practices to add to the previous section. It’s not an easy way to live, but it’s an excellent target to shoot for.
I want you to know I’m sorry this letter is so late. It has been a busy week, but I don’t want to use that as an excuse. You are of such great value to me, and I want you to know that I care deeply for you. You are never forgotten. You are continually prayed for. You deserve to know that. God bless you this week and see you soon!
Thom Miller
BCSD Chaplain
Mark 12:30-31, Matt 22:37-40; Gal 5:22-23; Rom 12:2;
1 Thes 5-16-18; Eph 3:16-21; Eph 4:1-3, 32; 1 Cor 13:4-7, 13;
Psalm 46:10; Rom 8:37-39; Phil 2:3-5; Phil 4:4-7;
James 1:22-25; John 3:16-17, 21; Rom 12:12
A Note from your Chaplain
May 14, 2019
Hey there, brother. Grace and peace to you. I’m praying for you and your families. I’m praying for your health. Your physical health, your emotional health, and your spiritual health. I’m praying for healthy relationships with those around you, with your families, and with God. I’m praying for grace and peace for you today and this week.
Gratefulness
I want to remind you that I am grateful for you all. I am grateful that Jeremy and I are allowed to visit throughout the week. I am grateful the ministry team can come in for Sunday services. I am grateful that the sheriff, jail commander, and officers allow us to come in so we can meet and spend time together.
Prayer and Presence and Love
I also want to remind you that every day, you have people praying for you. You have people who care deeply for you. In times when you face frustrations, disappointments, and struggles, remember that you are greatly valued and treasured and loved. Most importantly, remember that you have a God who is always just a breath away. You are never alone. You are always surrounded by the presence of God. You can never leave the presence of God. You are always surrounded by the love of God. You can never leave the love of God. So take a moment. Take a breath. Lift a prayer. Know that you are surrounded. Know that you are valued. Know that you are treasured. Know that you are loved.
Prayer for Wisdom
I don’t know about you, but I pray in a lot of different ways for a lot of different reasons. Sometimes my prayers are silent. Sometimes I just think the words. Sometimes I say the words out loud. Sometimes I praise God and thank him. And sometimes I gripe and complain. Sometimes I make requests for myself and for others. Sometimes I speak with great respect and admiration. Sometimes I speak with God like a dear close friend. Some prayers are long. Some are short. And I think all of these prayers are okay. I don’t know how, but I do believe our prayers are heard and that our prayers matter. I believe there is power in prayer even though I don’t know how.
So I’ve often thought about what I would REALLY want if I could have an answered prayer. And recently, my answer has been wisdom. I would LOVE to have more spiritual wisdom. I wish I knew better what to say to God and what to say to those around me. But often, I don’t know what to say. So until that prayer is answered, I’ll just keep doing the best I can, the best way I know how. And until my prayer for wisdom is answered, I think that’s probably a wise way to approach each day.
Thank You!
Thanks again for welcoming Jeremy and me when we come to visit. This is one of the highlights of our week. We are all works in progress. We are all in need of support. We are all in need of prayer. This week, let’s pray for each other and lift each other up. Let’s pray for our sheriff, jail commander, and jail officers. Let’s pray for our families and their families. Let’s spend some serious time in prayer today. Our prayers are heard. Jeremiah 29:12-13 says,
“ you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Let’s seek Him. Let’s pray. Prayer is a healthy practice. It’s good for us emotionally and spiritually. Thanks again, God bless, and may your day and week be filled with grace and peace.
Thom Miller
BCSD Chaplain
Mark 12:30-31, Matt 22:37-40; Gal 5:22-23; Rom 12:2;
1 Thes 5-16-18; Eph 3:16-21; Eph 4:1-3, 32; 1 Cor 13:4-7, 13;
Psalm 46:10; Rom 8:37-39; Phil 2:3-5; Phil 4:4-7;
James 1:22-25; John 3:16-17, 21; Rom 12:12; Jer 29:12-13
A Note from your Chaplain
May 22, 2019
Hey there, brother. Grace and peace to you. I hope you’re having a good week spending time in quiet and in prayer. I hope you’re spending time reading and learning and growing. I hope you’re finding joy and peace today and this week.
Thankfulness
I am so thankful that Jeremy and I can come back to visit you during the week. I’m thankful for the time we spend together. I’m thankful for your kindness. And I’m thankful for your prayers. I hope you never get tired of hearing this, because I never get tired of saying this. Thank you. Thank you so much.
Hope
So I was thinking about the power of hope and the need for hope. There are many obstacles and frustrations that we face every day. Hope gives us power to face those struggles with determination. If there is hope, there is the will to keep going. A will to keep battling. A will to keep moving forward every day. Hope is more than dreaming. Hope leads to action and hope leads to results. I like the passage in Isaiah 40:13 that says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” Hope energizes. Hope moves us forward. Hope is powerful because it gets us up and going in the mornings. And hope is most powerful when it helps us look toward something and someone greater than ourselves. Hope in the Lord. It renews our strength. That’s good stuff!
Mindsets
One of my favorite writers is Dr. Carol Dweck, a professor of psychology at Stanford University. Dr. Dweck has spent years researching and studying the power of mindset and its effect on success and achievement. According to Dweck, our mindset heavily influences our approach toward learning. Our mindset affects how we view skill and intelligence in both ourselves and others. She says we tend to look at success and achievement from either a “growth mindset” or a “fixed mindset.”
Growth Mindset
People with a “growth mindset” focus on process. Anything we hope for is possible for those willing to put in the work, practice consistently, allow themselves to make mistakes, and learn from failures. According to Dweck, we can grow our skills and intelligence over time with practice and effort.
Fixed Mindset
People with a “fixed mindset” focus too much on outcomes. They think talent is everything and you either have it or you don’t. These people worry about being judged and what people think and are constantly seeking approval. They worry about mistakes and what other people think.
Hope and Growth
We have to pay attention to ourselves and be honest. Are we being hopeful? Are we trying to grow? Growth takes time. It is a process. Hope gives us the strength to hang in there. Check out Jeremiah 29:11. “I know the plans I have for you...to have hope and a future.” We have a future. Because we have hope. And that is awesome!
Continue to hope and pray and grow. And I’ll continue to pray for grace and peace and joy today and this week. God bless you and see you soon!
Thom Miller
BCSD Chaplain
Mark 12:30-31, Matt 22:37-40; Gal 5:22-23; Rom 12:2; 1 Thes 5-16-18;
Eph 3:16-21; Eph 4:1-3, 32; 1 Cor 13:4-7, 13; Psalm 46:10; Rom 8:37-39;
Phil 2:3-5; Phil 4:4-7; James 1:22-25; John 3:16-17, 21; Rom 12:12;
Isaiah 40:13; Jer 29:11
A Note from your Chaplain
May 31, 2019
Hey there, brother. Grace and peace to you this week. I hope this week is going well. I hope you are finding time for quiet and prayer. I hope you are still making time to read and learn and grow. I hope you are finding time to think about what the future can hold for you and how you can begin living that future today.
Choosing Your Identity
I’ve talked before about qualities that identify us. Qualities that define who we are to ourselves and to others. Unfortunately, we can sometimes allow our circumstances to identify us. Fortunately, we can choose to define our identities regardless of our circumstances. In James Clear’s book, Atomic Habits, he talks about how we can make real, meaningful behavior change. The problem is that we often focus on the outcome first. James says that it’s more effective to focus on changing our identity first. He says that we shouldn’t focus on what we want to achieve, we need to focus on who we want to become. For example, the goal isn’t to read the Bible and pray every day and go to church. The goal is to build relationships that change you. Relationships with God and relationships with others. The goal isn’t to quit some negative behavior. The goal is to adopt positive behaviors. The goal is to be the kind of person who makes good choices and does what is right.
What We Want To Do and What We Do
This reminds me of the passage in Paul’s letter to Romans. As you read, you can hear the internal battle he’s facing. It’s kind of funny and very relatable.
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do...For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. (Romans 7:15,18-19)
Focus on Being, Not Doing
As we read this, it’s easy to see that we focus too much on doing the right thing. I think it’s better to focus on being the right person. When we choose to be a certain kind of person, it’s easier to do the things that person would do. If we focus on being a loving, joyful, peaceful person, we will do the kind of things that kind of person would do. If we focus on being a patient and kind person, we will do the kind of things a patient, kind person will do.
Being vs Not Being
It’s also a lot easier when we focus on who we want to be rather than who we don’t want to be. Instead of saying, “I don’t want to be an angry person,” try saying, “I want to be patient with myself and others.” Instead of saying, “I don’t want to be stressed and anxious,” try saying, “I want to be calm and at peace.” Being patient. Being calm. Being at peace. Those are good things to be. That’s a good identity to adopt. Give it a try. Think of who you want to be. When we know who we want to be, it’s easier for us to do what we want to do.
Gratefulness
Again, I am so grateful for the time Jeremy and I spend visiting with you. I’m grateful that the Sheriff, Jail Commander, and Jail Officers allow us in. I’m grateful for our ministry team and this community who continually lifts you in prayer. Thank you for welcoming us in. Thank you for your kindness to us. Thank you for your prayers.
Remember that we thank God for you, and we pray for grace and peace today and this week. God bless you and see you soon!
Thom Miller
BCSD Chaplain
Mark 12:30-31, Matt 22:37-40; Gal 5:22-23; Rom 12:2; 1 Thes 5:16-18;
Eph 3:16-21; Eph 4:1-3, 32; 1 Cor 13:4-7, 13; Psalm 46:10; Rom 8:37-39;
Phil 2:3-5; Phil 4:4-7; James 1:22-25; John 3:16-17, 21; Rom 12:12;
Isaiah 40:13; Jer 29:11
A Note from your Chaplain
June 4, 2019
Hey there, brother. This week has been a serious week of praying for grace and peace. I’ve spent a lot more time than usual do in prayer and contemplation.
Prayer and Contemplation
To me, the word “contemplation” simply means thinking. It means we are spending a lot of time in deep thought. I’ve been thinking a lot about the big questions in life. I’ve been thinking about the past, the future, and the present. And as I think, I’m also in prayer. My prayers are often silent, but I also spend time in conversation with God and with others. I’ve been thinking deeply about my life and what I am supposed to be doing and how I’m supposed to be doing it. I have so many spiritual and life questions. And I was thinking about you as I have been asking these questions.
Thanks to God
I am so thankful that I don’t have to have the answers to all these questions. I just have to keep seeking and asking and moving forward one day at a time. I am so thankful that I have people who I can walk with and talk with and learn with and grow with. None of us know it all. None of us have all the answers. But we all have our experiences and stories to tell. We all have a piece of the truth that we can share. And I think that’s why we need each other. When we’re alone, there is a fear of the unknown. Together, we can face the unknown and support each other and lift each other up. So there is always a fear of the mystery and uncertainty, but there can also a sense of peace. That reminds me of the phrases we hear over and over in the Bible. “Fear not,” and “do not be afraid.”
Fear Not
How many times do we hear those phrases in the Bible? The answer is a lot!
The unknown is scary. Big life questions and spiritual question are scary because of the unknown. I think that’s “fear not” and “do not be afraid” are spoken so often in the Word as an assurance that even though we don’t know what to expect, somehow it’s going to be okay.
Fear Not / It’s Going to Be Okay / His Love Endures Forever
“Fear not” and “it’s going to be okay” give me a sense of peace and calm. And what a great way to answer pretty much any statement.
Life is full of tough questions. It’s going to be okay.
I don’t know what my tomorrow looks like. It’s going to be okay.
I feel like I’ll never understand. It’s going to be okay.
This reminds me of Psalm 136. There are 26 verses with 26 statements. Each of those statements are followed by the same phrase “His love endures forever.” How cool is that! Take time to read that whole chapter, but here’s the first verse just to think about.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.
His love endures forever.
Give Thanks
Fear not. It’s going to be okay. I know I will always be wrestling with big questions in life, and that’s okay. We are told to fear not. We are told that His love endures forever. We are told that it’s going to be okay. I am so grateful that we have each other to help us work through these questions in conversation and in study and in silence and in prayer and in contemplation. God is good, and I am thankful. Keep lifting me up and I’ll keep lifting you up. We’re in this together. God bless and see you soon!
Thom Miller
BCSD Chaplain
Mark 12:30-31, Matt 22:37-40; Gal 5:22-23; Rom 12:2; 1 Thes 5:16-18;
Eph 3:16-21; Eph 4:1-3, 32; 1 Cor 13:4-7, 13; Psalm 46:10; Rom 8:37-39;
Phil 2:3-5; Phil 4:4-7; James 1:22-25; John 3:16-17, 21; Rom 12:12;
Isaiah 40:13; Jer 29:11; Psalm 136:1
