A while back I wrote about Danny and Clint, and the violence that occurred between them. Danny and Clint both had come quite often to our Sports Night. We get between 15-30 young men playing a few hours of basketball and having a few minutes of “men talk.” Yeah, a lot of the guys are somewhat similar to Clint and Danny --- some violence, incarceration, substance abuse, getting girlfriends pregnant, joblessness, lots of feelings of hopelessness. But they are my friends, who have care and feelings for others, and emotions, too.
    Like for every person, so for my Sports Night friends, God’s deep desire for each of them is in I Timothy 2:4 of the Bible --- “God our Savior. . .wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
    My friends get tired of being looked at with skepticism and distrust by “cleaner” citizens, and by the police. So, sometimes I share the following passage from Galations 5 of the Bible, which is as good for me, and I suppose for you, as for them.           
    It’s kind of long, but it’s good, especially the last sentence. “Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. . . The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, hatred, fits of rage, selfish ambition, drunkenness, jealousy, (and other things). . . But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (And a whole lot less feeling sad, thoughts of suicide, depressed, hatred, and depression.)
    No one is going to look down on you, or with distrust and skepticism for being kind, patient, and good. If they do, they’ve got the problem. But isn’t that life boring and unfulfilling, compared to being a hoodlum? I don’t think so; God will have all kinds of awesome things in store for you that will make a difference for His world. Hang on for the ride!   www.peacewithinreach.com --- Fred Wilgenburg

    Today I visited Amanda in jail. Though dressed in standard striped jailhouse clothes, she looked better than I ever remembered. When I had seen here 6 months earlier, on the outside, this mother of eight’s physical appearance showed the effects of heavy methamphetamines abuse. Her mood also usually showed the effects -- sad, angry, depressed, hopeless, even considering suicide. Shortly after, she and the father of the children were arrested for drug use and dealing. She remembered me as the guy who sent some of her kids to a week of a summer camp. 
    The best thing was her attitude. Unlike so many people --- maybe all of us at times, and certainly me on occasion --- Amanda laid it all out to herself, to the courts, to her children, and to God what she had done wrong. She even had her attorney change her “not guilty” plea to “guilty.”
                                                                        
    (As a side note, another friend, Larry, is similar to Amanda. Larry, upon being challenged to “man-up” to what you’ve done, laid it all out before me, and better yet, before God, what he had done. No, he didn’t get charged for that third theft because he didn’t actually do it. But he admitted to himself, to me, and to God, that his motive, his intention was there. Of course, God sees right to the core of our motives, even when they aren’t acted on.)
    By doing this, Amanda (and Larry) is truly getting a fresh start. She’s not holding anything, including herself, back. Upon hearing repentance --- a sincere sorrow for what is done wrong and a sincere desire to do better --- God forgives the wrongdoings completely and is helping her move on. Way to go Amanda (and Larry)! Now your kids will start to experience the kind of mothering God created you to give them. 
    I hope their father, Ronny, comes around. With a prior record, he’ll probably face more time, so he and his lawyer are holding back. “Hey, I’m not going to confess what I did. It wasn’t that bad, anyway.” Come on, Ronny, be a man; be an example to your children.
    God says in Isaiah 44:22 of the Bible, “I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” Ahhh, there's hope and peace and purpose for a person.
    Let’s take God up on that offer and live much more peaceful, better lives.