A short while ago I returned to my cell after attending the evening's Bible study in our chapel.  The teacher talked about love and he used 1 John 4:7-21 as his text.

 

     My heart is always convicted when I recieve a teaching about loving others, because, like most people, I fall short in this area.

 

     Some of the men get on my nerves so much with their treacherous ways that it is only by the grace of God that I do not lose my temper and end up saying and doing things that I would immediately regret.  Nevertheless, as I continue on in this spiritual journey I could see how much I've grown.  I still have a long way to go as I press on to Christian maturity, however.  But I remember the way I lived before I was a believer in Christ.  My life was empty.  My emotions would quickly get out of control at any little provocation.  And I had my share of fights and cussing matches with the other prisoners.

 

     Nowadays, though, I bow my heart with thanksgiving because I know that I don't have to live this way any more.  I am a new creation in Christ.  I don't need fists or harsh words to fix situations.  Instead I simply pray and trust the Lord to handle my problems.  I try to allow His peace to rule in my heart.  I know I have come far, and this is good.

 

 

                                 David Berkowitz

                                 June 28, 2005

 

 

(c) 2005 David Berkowitz