"For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more."- Hebrews 8:12
There used to be days, when I didn't want to get out of bed. Feelings of uselessness, despair, rejection, self-hatred, world-hatred, pain, and defeat, were always in my mind, constantly. Nevertheless, my closest relatives and friends never knew how I felt on the inside. Everyday, it seemed as if I was wading neck deep in quicksand, about to drown. Yes, a drowning was truly taking place, but, it wasn't from quicksand. I was drowning in guilt. Just like some of you are now.
Long after the judge slams the gavel, long after they release us from jail/prison, long after the probation is over, long after the fines are paid, the felony(ies) remain. Then, the guilt shows up, once an application for employment is filled out, and no one calls back; when your family needs some place to stay, and the apartment says, NO!, to your background. It shows up, when life insurance companies won't insure you, it shows up, when YOU remember that no one wants to help you because of your background. __________________________________________________________________________
There once was an adulterous woman, whom the Pharisees brought unto Jesus. They said unto him: "Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commands us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?" This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself and said unto them: "He that is without sin among you, let him cast a stone at her." And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one.- John 8:3-9
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In the scriptures above, Jesus dealt with a hypocritical group. The Pharisees were good at pointing out other people sins, but, they overlooked their own. When Jesus told them: 'Him without sin, let him cast the first stone, all the people HAD to put down their stones. Likewise today, there are people who wish to cast the first stone on all ex-felons. Those same people never stopped to think, "What have I done wrong, in my past. Am I a better person than they are, or, am I just hiding what I used to do?" They either, didn't get caught, or, legal injustice took place to keep them felony-free. This is not to persuade anyone to cry foul play, because, we shouldn't have done what we did in the first place.
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In the scriptures above, Jesus dealt with a hypocritical group. The Pharisees were good at pointing out other people sins, but, they overlooked their own. When Jesus told them: 'Him without sin, let him cast the first stone, all the people HAD to put down their stones. Likewise today, there are people who wish to cast the first stone on all ex-felons. Those same people never stopped to think, "What have I done wrong, in my past. Am I a better person than they are, or, am I just hiding what I used to do?" They either, didn't get caught, or, legal injustice took place to keep them felony-free. This is not to persuade anyone to cry foul play, because, we shouldn't have done what we did in the first place.
After serving 11 months in a Shelby County Correctional Center, I was BLESSED to obtain a construction job as a starter job. God used my future father-in-law to help me obtain the job. Someone out there is positioned to help you along the way. I went about 6 months riding the public transportation system, but, I did it with expectation. Expectation, that, something greater was going to come along. Sure enough, it did! As I lived with a relative to get my life together, I was able to buy a vehicle to get myself around. This was the beginning of a new beginning!
Today, you can start a new day! Right now, prepare to put some of the guilt, despair, uselessness, rejection, self-hatred, world-hatred, pain, and defeat out of your life. You and I were made to prosper! It is time to shift your thinking! Show your community that you are worthy to be trusted again. How can you do that? By not being caught up in the system anymore. Jail and probation should become a thing of the past to us.
I give God all the credit for the changes in my life. Like Romans 12:2 states: 'And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.' Get your attitude right with God, ask for His forgiveness, and say a salvation prayer. Once God forgives you, it's time to move on with your life!
Today, you can start a new day! Right now, prepare to put some of the guilt, despair, uselessness, rejection, self-hatred, world-hatred, pain, and defeat out of your life. You and I were made to prosper! It is time to shift your thinking! Show your community that you are worthy to be trusted again. How can you do that? By not being caught up in the system anymore. Jail and probation should become a thing of the past to us.
I give God all the credit for the changes in my life. Like Romans 12:2 states: 'And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.' Get your attitude right with God, ask for His forgiveness, and say a salvation prayer. Once God forgives you, it's time to move on with your life!
Coming up later: Knowing what you are good at, so as, to start your own business. Also, check out my web-site at: http://www.rescission.org/.
