GRACE

WILL

FOLLOW

BY Wanda Cupp

When I first heard about David Ewart’s story, I must admit I was taken back. Incarcerated for murder, matters of such are sometimes hard to grasp with our mere human reason-ing. We tend to quickly rise in self righteous judgment. It is because of sin, however, that we must remind ourselves of why Christ came to redeem us; He came to forgive. This is one such story of redemption. It reflects God’s uncondition-al grace and one man’s struggle to find it again.

Passionate to serve, David enrolled in Southeastern Bible College after accepting Christ in 1976. Sensing that God had called him into ministry, he and his family moved across country in order for him to attend. He describes those days with much joy. ―My family and I would pray and God would open the doors!‖, says David. Everything seemed to be in order in David’s life. But when plans were suddenly disrupted, things started to unravel. David left a well-paying position as a teacher with the county department of education to be the princi-pal of another school. It was brought to his attention, however, that he would also be teaching the junior high students. Additionally, an associate pastor’s position which he hoped to obtain was no longer available. Some-where in the midst of the confusion, disappointment came and he yielded to bitterness. David recalls, ―I let Satan rob my joy.‖ Twenty six years into his marriage, David began to drift and his life slowly changed. He was struggling with nega-tive thoughts. ―I had taken my eyes off Jesus and had become very prideful in my accomplishments,‖ He re-calls. Making matters worse, David met someone and succumbed to what he calls, ―the oldest story in the world—older man meets younger woman.‖ Suddenly his integrity was being challenged. He wrestled with the idea of divorce while trying to maintain his Christian values. As time continued he became more confused. David recounts: ―I thought I had lost my mind, I was truly the double-minded man that James talks about in his letter in the New Testament—I had such an inner battle going on. The whole time I thought I was on top of things—talk about deception!‖ Things finally surfaced when David decided to tell his wife about his transgressions. As their conversation continued, an argument developed; due to the sensitivity

of the subject. As the situation intensified, the argument escalated; as did David’s anger. As a result his wife died at his hands.

In the aftermath a family had been broken and David sat in jail. Hopeless and discouraged; He was in a pit of despair. Looking back, however, David does not attempt to justify any of his actions. He assumes complete re-sponsibility and says, ―I know my thought patterns are what controlled my behavior, I left myself wide open for satanic attack—I let my anger turn into uncontrollable rage before I knew it!‖ Very candidly, David admits that as a direct result of his sin his behavior changed with time. ―My temptation and subsequent fall was like the frog that is placed in a pot of cool water over a very low flame. As time goes by, the water heats up and the frog is slowly cooked till it dies, never realizing what happened!‖ says David. Awaiting trial for fifteen months, David would have plenty of time to make sense of it all. All the while, the presence of guilt and condemnation overshadowed him. But a sincere volunteer chaplain took interest in David; visiting him weekly. ―We prayed, studied the word, and just had good fellowship, He showed me true love,‖ says David. In time David would come to trust in God again whom he says never left him even though he had sinned. David was restored. Describing the incredible attributes of God, he says, ―His love amazes me!’ David is serving thirty four years to life in a California

prison. Although He lives in confinement, he enjoys the freedom that Christ gives. He says, ―Christ came to my cell and forgave me of my sins—He set me free inside!‖ David now helps other inmates who struggle with anger issues. He is a leader in church activities and is known as the ―inmate pastor.‖ Relying on his educational back-ground for assistance, David wrote a course curriculum for faith based anger management. He teaches this class to what he calls a ―captive audience.‖ Obviously, God has restored to him the joy of His salvation! He also knows that it is by God’s grace that he has been re-stored. David says that 2 Cor 12: 9-10 says it all: ―My grace is sufficient for thee…‖ He also notes that he un-derstands God’s calling to preach in a more intimate way now; deeper than all his educational experience. ―I have now received the invitation into my heart!‖ says David. When asked about his prison life and God’s sustaining ability, he says, ―He is always present; as is His protec-tion!‖ David also shared a particular incident that oc-curred in May of 2006 when he suffered a heart attack. Although he has since recovered, something happened during that time that he won’t soon forget. He said it was as though God was speaking to his heart. This is what he heard: ―My son, I am not through with you yet, I have much more for you to do,‖ In a reverent humbled re-sponse, David exclaimed, ―But I am a murderer!‖ The voice replied, ―David – I have forgiven you.‖ ―These were the most soothing words ever spoken to me, no one but God can know what that meant to me,‖ says David.

C&C

CAUGHT UP & CALLED OUT

Providence Ministries Volume 18/Oct 2010

David Ewart (L) shown with a fellow inmate during a time of fellowship.

Where has life taken you? Have you wandered off God’s path like David did? Perhaps you have never walked down the straight and narrow at all. The good news is that no matter what you have done or where you have been, God’s abundant grace will meet you right where you are. His grace will follow you to the uttermost. There are no sins too great or so numerous that you have sinned away grace. If you still long for God to touch you, He will! Scripture says that whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Rom 10:13). Simply reach out to Him with a heart of repentance and He will forgive you. Surrender your all to Him and He will set you free! He’ll free you from all emotional baggage, stabilize your life, and give you immense joy! Take that step today and He’ll change your life with overcoming victory! If you just made that commitment in a simple prayer, please let us know. We want to hear from you and want to help you in your new journey with Him!

C&C

Is your life shipwrecked? Lighten the load by throwing excess baggage overboard. Anger, bitterness, blame, unforgiveness and offenses will sink you. Unburden the weight upon your soul by calling upon Jesus. He re-bukes turbulence and brings peace. Your life boat is like a piece of drift-wood floating amidst the wreckage of life in the form of a cross. Allow the Saviour of this cross to navigate you through the shoals of life! (Acts 27)

Claudia is a wife, mother, and friend. She uses these relational experiences to bring life saving truths based upon God’s

principles.

Crossroads with Claudia

Testify to Truth!

Do you have a prison related testimony that you would like to share? We are looking for stories that we can publish. Please correspond to the address below.

Providence Prison Ministries PO Box 428 Naples, FL 34106-0428 caughtupcalledout@comcast.net

In times of joy and times of strife Troubles ebb and flow in our life Past, present, and future Jesus bore He knew our weakness to the core Faithful He is to walk by our side As in His ways we learn to abide A greater intimacy He does desire Ready to dance with us in the fire When we repent, bow down, kneel He douses flames licking our heel With Him our burdens become light Lifting depression, the darkest night Extending hope to the traveler weary Along life’s highway troubled, teary Holy Spirit’s arms of comfort ready Each faltering child to make steady So hope within is ignited by the Lord Do tenaciously grab His scarlet cord Bound in love, His peace now reigns God is able His strength never wanes Now trust in Him, hand in His hand He will lead us to the promised land

In His garden are love, peace and joy A place of rest no enemy can destroy There the Rose of Sharon will bloom Overcoming troubles, erasing gloom

BY Claudia Forster

The Rose

in the Garden

Providence Prison Ministries is an outreach of Church on the Way in Naples, Florida. It is our desire to see lives transformed by the saving power of Christ. If you would like to be a part of what we are doing, your financial support is always welcome. Please mail to: Church on the Way C/O Providence Prison Ministries 3805 The Lord’s Way Naples, Florida 34114 For more information: Ph: (239) 774-1165 caughtupcalledout@comcast.net

With the close confines of prison, inmates often succumb to internal influences. When subjected to violence, inmates will sometimes submit to unfavorable demands in order to survive. When the percentage of ungodliness supersedes righteousness, prisoners suffer. In 2007, convicted murderer Wesley Spratt who is incarcerated in Rhode Island won his right back to preach in prison. Converted while awaiting his trial; he later began preaching. In 2003 the warden forced him to stop and Spratt sued the warden; stating that it violated his religious freedom. Both sides later settled, agreeing that Spratt and other inmates could preach under certain restrictions. Spratt now continues to preach in a ―cramped, window-less chapel at a maximum security prison.‖ Also in 2007, convicted murderer Howard N. Thompson Jr. won his legal battle and was allowed to preach under supervision of a chaplain. He too had begun preaching, but was later banned by the New Jersey State Prison. Thompson said, "All I have ever wanted was to have my religious rights restored so that I could continue working with men who want to renew their lives through the study and prac-tice of their faith." Prisoners are limited with what they hear and see, and there will always be leaders rising within the prison system to promote their agenda. If filled with Godly servants fulfilling the ―great commission,‖ righteousness can supersede ungodliness. The cause for Christ promotes truth in love, and this is His agenda, and this is always right!

—Rob and Wanda

STAND FOR HIS COMMAND