Tag Archives: jail

Grow where you are planted

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Many people that we talk to feel that because they screwed up their life in the past,  they have no future in leadership.  They feel that because of their past and past choices that no one will ever listen to them as a leader nor allow them into a leadership role. We teach them what God says in  Jeremiah 29

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

We then talk about the fact that we are created to good things that were planned long ago.  To reiterate that we use Ephesians 2

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

But to undo our “go to behaviors”, which sabotage our futures and make us believe we can never be good enough, we have to “transform our thinking”, so we add Romans 12:2

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 (NLT)

So when people say they can’t become a leader or something different in their life because of their past, we challenge them to start seeing themselves worthy as God sees them and to do something different with their life. As Paul writes in Colossians 4

 “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you” 

grow in rock

You may have a past that has lots of rocks and very little soil, but as you can see in this picture that this TREE has grown anyway and is full of color and alive.

 Or maybe your life has been flooded with bad choices that would stop you and, because it doesn’t look like the perfect circumstances to grow, you allow fear to stop you.  But as you can see in this picture even being surrounded by a lot of water these trees are still growing.

water grow

So don’t let others or your past stop you from doing what God has asked of you:

Be sure to GROW where GOD PLANTS YOU….

One Smart Cookie

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10 years ago I had the privilege of meeting a 5 year old. He forever changed my life. He also has changed how I look at kids who have “attitudes”. As I have walked with this young man I wish I could turn back the hands of time and help him more. To love him was just not enough. His anger and hatred for the world and all authority has eaten him alive.
I remember one day the school giving us this answer when we asked if he could be tested for the gifted program: “when he gets his anger under control, then we will test him”.
Why do I bring this young man to the forefront of my blog today? Because I have 3 more years to try and reach him before he becomes a legal adult and I DO NOT want him to become a resident of our Correctional system. He has a great heart but growing up for so long in a fatherless home and then to grow up with a stepfather that has no rights to even tell him to clean his room (according to our state system), it seems that everyone has given up and said “well he’s going to just end up like his dad”.
Today I taught 135 men in the Ohio Prison. It was an amazing time teaching and I love what I do… but God stopped me in my tracks and said “what about the children? You can still help save the children.” During the talk I asked how many of the men were dads? About 90% or 122 men were dads. That means at least 122 children are growing up fatherless. At the end of the talk Rob (my awesome husband) asked the guys to go back to page 2 which was the genogram. As they turned there, Rob asked the question: “when your children get older what is their genogram going to say about you?” You can change today if you want.
As we finished our drive today in silence my heart was breaking. I wanted to scream and cry. What about the children? When we got to our hotel I started searching for the facts about children who live in fatherless homes and I am going to tell you the statistics scared me.
• 5 times more likely to commit suicide
• 32 times more likely to run away
• 20 times more likely to have behavioral disorders
• 14 times more likely to commit rape
• 9 times more likely to drop out of high school
• 10 times more likely to abuse chemical substances
• 9 times more likely to end up in a state-operated institution
• 20 times more likely to end up in prison
Now for another stat:
Men and women who are incarcerated, their children are 70% more likely to end up in the Correctional system also. Not 70% of them will end up, but they have a 70% greater possibility of ending up in the correctional system.
But I already knew these statistics I just did not know the numbers. How did I know these stats existed because I have lived it for the past 10 years doing inner city ministry. I have seen my share of the behavioral issues just as I stated at the beginning but I do not put these stats here for you to say “oh poor baby”. I wrote this in hopes you will join me in being an Image Builder for a child or a 180 person for a teen or adult. Before you decide let me finish with what I am asking of you.
How do we fix the problem: RELATIONSHIPS: Relationships with the fathers to teach them how to be good dads. RELATIONSHIPS: Relationships with the mothers to teach them how to be good moms. In the 180 Program we talk about getting a “Board of Directors”, well it’s going to take YOUR time and effort to make this successful. And how do we reach the kids? Its by becoming an Image Builder in your local school. Working with a child who is academically at risk of becoming one of the statistics mentioned above.
So it all boils down to 2 things:
1. RELATIONSHIPS
2. EDUCATION

Are you in? For more information please contact us: info@atghope.org home of the 180 Program and the Image Builders Program.

defining moments at Starbucks

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This morning as I was reading, it was talking about choices we make every day: Paper/plastic; this road or that road.

When making choices, the movie “You’ve Got Mail” comes to mind: “The whole purpose of places like Starbucks is for people with no decision-making ability whatsoever to make six decisions just to buy one cup of coffee. Short, tall, light, dark, caf, decaf, low-fat, non-fat, etc. So people who don’t know what the hell they’re doing or who on earth they are can, for only $2.95, get not just a cup of coffee but an absolutely defining sense of self: Tall. Decaf. Cappuccino.”

Whether you believe that last statement or not, ponder it for just a minute. You get all kinds of people shopping at “coffee” shops. But, if you took each person for who they are outside the walls of the “coffee” shop, can they even make a decision that will help them get to the top of the mountain to success?

Before you shut me out, success here is NOT monetary; it is life decisions that will allow you get to the top of the mountain.

From my reading this morning it says that we need to listen for God’s whisper in our hearts and to the acquired wisdom of family and friends when we are making choices. This is great advice right? Or is it? For some, we have very successful family and friends so listening to their acquired wisdom would be great.

But what about those whose family and friends have lots of wisdom, it’s just bad wisdom. It’s the wisdom, that if you take it, your chances of ending up addicted to drugs, alcohol, or being a resident of the county jail, rehab center or worse yet 6 feet under, are greater.

As we get to really know our new friends in the county jails, the parents are starting to open up and we are finding out that their charge partner (i.e. partner in crime) is THEIR CHILD. So I know that the last paragraph I wrote is true.

Think about the single mom who was never shown how she could afford to go to college. All she was told; it is too expensive. Did anyone take the time to say these words “yes, college is expensive, BUT it is doable and let me show you how”.

So for some people, going to family and friends for wisdom may not be such a good idea. But if they shouldn’t go to their family and friends who then?

Consider using your wisdom to empower someone else to get to the top of the mountain. Consider using your gifts in a mentoring relationship contact us today for more information.

Self defeated… but there is hope…just need someone to believe

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Today was the last 180 Class in the WCJ for 2011. Our lesson today was on Thoughts and how thoughts turn into words which turn into actions. We start the class with: Are you taking your “thoughts” hostage or are they taking you hostage? And that thoughts in themselves are not bad its when you dwell on them and they become your actions is when it can have a positive or a negative effect on your life. Most people can think all day long they are going to do something different… it is the Action (the actual doing part) when it comes to change that is hard.

Usually those first time in the class are quiet, just taking it all in. Well today was different. A first time inmate about 15 minutes into the discussion pipes up and says “this is really good stuff and I agree with what you are saying….BUT”… he proceeds to tell me that he has no drivers license and because of that fact he states he will now have to live the rest of his life homeless, under the bridge or at the Mission.

I have to say I have never seen anyone so beat down on life, with no hope in life… because of a driver’s license.

We took the next few minutes in class to talk about choices/excuses (which is lesson 3) and how without a driver’s license it is not the end of the world but the ACTION part of this cycle will take more processes and learning. We talked about there were other options besides living under the bridge and that if he wanted to take the much needed ACTION then I knew of places and people that would help him. BUT he needed to take the negative thoughts hostage and start thinking that he was worthy of having a life that was filled with joy.

We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NLT)

AtG has served just in the Williamson County Jail this year almost 350 inmates. In the Maury County Jail we served 58 (and that is women only and only one 8 week course). These numbers do not include children from the study buddy program which is now in 5 schools and growing weekly. It also does not include numbers from the homeless shelters and transitional homes.

“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you? “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ Matthew 25:44-45 NLT

We need your support to have an even more IMPACTFUL 2012, as we work with the men,women and children to help them:
recover~ rebuild ~restore

AtG relies solely on individuals, churches, businesses and private grants to make the programming possible.

Even a gift of $20 will purchase one piece of curriculum. AtG does NOT charge for its services NOR does it take State or Federal funding.

May you all be blessed this Christmas season and please remember to include AtG, the 180 Program and Study Buddy Program in your prayers and if possible your yearend giving. To donate on-line go to www.atghope.org or mail donations to PO Box 809 Franklin TN 37065