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Electra
Registered Member
Date Joined Feb 2002
Total Posts : 611
| Posted 12/16/2002 7:10 AM (GMT -6) |   | “Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them” (Heb. 13:3).
This verse has been on my mind lately, not sure why. SeanG! mentioned serving some time, so I thought maybe people in this discussion might have some insight on this subject.
I’ve been wondering what “remembering those who are in prison” might mean in our contemporary context. I know a little bit about the injustices of some of the racial demographics involved (e.g. black men are disproportionately sentenced to prison terms, and currently about 30% of black men in states like Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi are not allowed to vote because of laws that disenfranchise voters who have been convicted of crimes ranging from felonies to writing bad checks).
Besides the race issue, another imperfection of our justice system is that some people serving time are innocent, whereas others who really do pose a threat to society are parolled. Given these and other complexities, what are some ways we can “remember those who are in prison”? Any thoughts? Electra
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shell
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Date Joined Mar 2002
Total Posts : 280
| Posted 12/16/2002 7:34 AM (GMT -6) | | Electra: “Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them” (Heb. 13:3).
Given these and other complexities, what are some ways we can “remember those who are in prison”? Any thoughts? Electra
Shell: Electra, I know of a way to remember those who are in prison in a practical sense(sorry I don't have much to offer on the systemic issues you presented). There is an awesome ministry called Parenting With Purpose that ministers to parents who are incarcerated and their children. The main purpose of the ministry of Paul and Lori Strong is to unite children with their parents who are serving time. They have volunteers who faithfully bring the children to visit their parents in prison. Often times the relationship between parent and child is completely put on hold during the parent's incarceration. The children often feel abandoned, and the parents abandon their parenting responsibilities and have difficulty reconnecting with their children when they re-enter the community. Many of the gaurdians caring for often multiple children of an incarcerated paretn often feel too overwhelmed to keep a connection between parent and child. The children who participate are also part of an Overcomers group where they are cared for and loved by those in the ministry. They are helped along in their journey of coping and surviving very rough circumstances.
They are in need of volunteers to drive children to the prisons especially over the holidays and then throughout the year. Just thought I'd share a practical way to remember those in prison.
Shell
Edited by - shell on 12/16/2002 12:35:58 PM | | Back to Top | | |
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might-be-don
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Date Joined Jun 2001
Total Posts : 830
| Posted 12/16/2002 8:05 AM (GMT -6) | | The Contemporary English Version says it like this:
3 Remember the Lord's people who are in jail and be concerned for them. Don't forget those who are suffering, but imagine that you are there with them.
I think the writer of Hebrews was reminding us that many of our brothers and sisters were being held in bonds unjustly because of their faith. I don't think he was trying to get us to visit thieves and murderers in jail. While that's not a bad idea, I don't think we could use this verse to support that action plan.
peace and love, don
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BJS
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Date Joined Dec 2001
Total Posts : 587
| Posted 12/16/2002 8:06 AM (GMT -6) | | Don is right.
Brett
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honorman
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Date Joined Oct 2002
Total Posts : 1137
| Posted 12/16/2002 8:06 AM (GMT -6) | | One way we remember prisoners is by the Angel tree gifts we give, in their name, to their children. But, while not disagreeing with Electra, I think the verse in context is addressed to believers and is, therefore, talking about those who are imprisoned because of beliefs and their sacrifices for their faith.
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Electra
Registered Member
Date Joined Feb 2002
Total Posts : 611
| Posted 12/16/2002 8:35 AM (GMT -6) | | Shell, thanks for the resource. Prison does not just punish the prisoner (for better or worse), but also has consequences for the prisoner’s spouse and children. Prisoners obviously don’t bring home a wage while they’re serving time, but it doesn’t end there—it is also difficult to get a decent job after being released. These economic issues are simple compared to the relational issues.
MBD, Brett, and honorman, I am aware of the context of the verse, but nevertheless it got me started wondering about “those in prison” in our own context for whatever reason, so I thought I’d toss it around a bit. Thanks for humoring me. Electra
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might-be-don
Registered Member
Date Joined Jun 2001
Total Posts : 830
| Posted 12/16/2002 11:32 AM (GMT -6) | | Electra,
Wonderful, someone finally agrees I'm right and you derail the whole thing  .
You know, I just don't think about those in prison.
peace and love, don
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