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  LETTERS FROM THE INSIDE  
     
     
 

"Your words really have sunk in since we spoke.  I realize through Him anything is possible."

Dear Pastor Michael Sgobba

     I'm writing you to let you know how much myself and the other men at the Grant County Work Release really enjoyed hearing you preach, and your story.  You really can relate to me and it gives me much hope for myself.

     I'm not sure if you remember me but you stopped your sermon in the middle of it and singled me out, and asked me my name, and you informed me God had a beautiful plan for me, which I truly believe.  You then told me what my name meant in Hebrew.  My name being Daniel, I believe you said, "God is my judge."  Your words really have sunk in since we spoke.  I realize through Him anything is possible.

     Since your visit I started reading "The Word for You Today," which is awesome.  It spoke to myself and the others in our nightly prayer circle that I lead.  I just thank you very much, and can't wait to hear or see you here again.

Thank you,

Daniel M.
 
     
 

"I have a place to go and a purpose for being there, and a hope for the future beyond."

Dear Brother Michael Sgobba,

     Let us together praise God, and give thanks for His divine appointments and provisions.  Almost a year ago I wrote to you asking for your help in finding a place to go when I release next year.  I just got off the phone with Pastor Thomas Hudson, whom you referred me to.  Thank you ,and thank God, because through that series of "God Incidents" my prayers are answered.

     Not only do I have somewhere to go, but something to be a part of, and a place to serve.  He told me they do a lot of volunteer work, helping out with those less fortunate, who can't afford to pay a premium, which is service work I can really apply myself to.  He also told me they are building into the "Celebrate Recovery Ministry," which I am in a leadership role within already.  He told me they are invested in service ministries in the local church, bui9lding the Body of Christ, and doing Kingdom work within the body, which I'm all about.  Brother, it is this kind of service to which I am called, for which I am gifted, within which I can grow in my relationship with Christ and others.

     I told him I'm like an arrow in need of direction, and with the right guidance I can hit the mark.  He said that's the definition of a servant, someone willing to be that arrow, and to receive that guidance.  We also talked about service work as a path to making amends and building heavenly rewards in the Kingdom of God.

     You sent me in the right direction, Brother.  Thank you.  I think I can release my anxiety and cast my cares aside.  The Lord provides.  I have a place to go and a purpose for being there, and a hope for the future beyond.

Sincerely,

Chris H.
 
     
 

"Your Letter Did Help Me Understand The Difference Between A 'Rut' And A 'Grave'"

Dear Mike and Margie,

     Thank you for your letter. It made my day.  I feel so blessed to have heard back from you so soon.  Thank you.  The spiritual reading material that you sent to me opens my heart and strengthens my faith towards ‘God’.  The Word for you Today and the Daily Bread helps me start my day and keeps my attitude in line.  Mike, your letter did help me understand the difference between a ‘rut’ and a ‘grave’.  Thank you for the understanding. 

     I felt lost for the first two years of my incarceration.  I have come a long way from then to now.  I have strengthened my personal relationship with God.  I was ‘born again’ in the faith and the love of God’s grace.  January 25th, I was baptized in the presence of  God and my peers. 

     I enjoy going to church and listening to the Gospel of God’s Word.  I am looking forward to attending a church when I get out. 

     In prison, I have taken and completed:
           Stress and Anger Management
           Job Seeker Skills
           Earned my GED through Peninsula College
           Currently in a parenting class (30 weeks)

     I have been to dozens of fires this side of the mountains and dozens of fires on the other side of the mountains for the Department of Natural Resources as a Wildland Firefighter.

     I was recognized and given an award for rescuing people at the Carlton Complex Fire and saving lives of some of our Washington Army National Guard. I know I could not have done it if it were not for the Hand of God. I know that life is short and I do appreciate every ‘day’.

     My plans for my release is to stay employed. I have many things to save money for – as I am starting with nothing…and I owe people. 

     I want to attend a church and attend meetings for my sobriety.

     I would love to go to the underwater school of welding in Seattle or attend Olympic College for welding. 

     I’m scared for my release.  I am not going to lie.  But I keep praying to God every day to keep me on the right path and to stay away from drugs.   Mike, I know I can keep my life in a manageable way.  Please keep me in your prayers as I will keep praying for myself.

     Thank you for listening to me rant and rave.

Sincerely,

Timothy R.
 
     
 

"You Are A Lifeline For Me"

Dear Pastor Mike and Margie,

     I have been promoted to minimum custody from medium custody.  This is certainly a step in the right direction.  I truly do wish to keep in contact with House of Hope.  You are a lifeline for me and I often think and pray for all the volunteers.

     I can still clearly envision you all in my mind and with that, the compassion of our Lord is tangible to me.  I can still remember meeting with you weekly Pastor Mike.  I remember looking forward to Ken’s weekly Bible studies.  I can also remember the faces, though their names elude me, of the men who visited us in the upper levels and encouraged us with testimony and song.  Thank you very much for these fond memories. 

     I also wanted to write to please keep me in mind if any of the Word for you Today devotionals become available.  I look forward to them and use them regularly.  They are my spiritual food, real meat that is not milk. 

     I will continue to pray for you all. May we all be kept safe and be blessed from the storehouse of heaven.

Your brother in Christ,

Daniel R.
 
     
 

"I Feel Free On The Inside For The First Time"

Pastor Mike,

     Hi, this is Marshall C., we have had the privilege to meet a few times, while I was in Kitsap County Jail.  There’s some good news to tell you, I’ve finally come to the understanding of the term to be completely surrendered to God.  It only took me 32 years to do this.  No longer am I taking medications to cope with my ‘ADHD’. The Lord created me the way I am for a reason and I go where He wants me go trusting now He’s in control.  Even though I’m locked up, I feel free on the inside for the first time and am comfortable with who I am as a person.  I’ve completed the eight core classes for an A. A. degree in Business Management.  Since January, this summer, I’ll be wrapping up the three support classes and will graduate with a college degree next January. 

     I lost my grandfather to natural causes last May.  In February, my dad was diagnosed with melanoma cancer and has lost about fifty pounds he didn’t need to lose.  So I am asking for you to pray for my dad and my family. My parents are fighting to keep our house. 

     I would like to thank you for choosing to open your heart to Christ and allowing our Heavenly Father to work through you, because you and your ministry have really helped me stay walking in my faith when I began to lose faith.  God Bless you and I appreciate our conversations.  God is great always! Hallelujah. 

Brother in Christ,

Marshall C.
 
     
 

"We Are Definitely Called To Be
'Set Apart'"

Michael,

     Hello my Friend, how are you this day?  I am blessed.

     Thank you for your card and the encouraging words and the awesome poem!  I like your reading from James (4:4), we are definitely called to be "Set-Apart" from the world and its way of thinking.  It takes wisdom from God to know where to stand against sin and still be loving.

     In here I pretty much don't associate with anyone who doesn't walk with the Lord, and my cellys usually get saved or move out.  I believe every new celly comes to me from God, and I try my best to value them and show them God's love!  They won't care about what I believe until they know I care!

     Knowing how deeply loved I am by my Heavenly Father helps me fulfill my destiny to be His loving child.

     I have the cell all to myself for a while.  I love to be alone with the Lord, to be still and feel His presence, and to listen for His voice inside me.  When I get alone time with my Father, nothing can shake my sense of peace!

     It was cool that you put my words in your newsletter.  His loving kindness is really better than anything in this life!  When I pray for others I always pray that they would know and feel and sense God's loving presence in their life.  I can think of no better blessing.

     As for sowing into your ministry, you are my spiritual covering, my immediate spiritual authority, and one of the ways I submit to that authority is by tithing.  The Word has taught me that nothing really belongs to me.  I am merely  a steward of what is really HIS, and I try to be a good steward.  Of course obedience brings blessings so I almost always have more than enough...enough to share and to be a blessing to others.

     Well, brother, be good to yourself and know that I love you and that you and Margie are always in my thoughts and prayers.

                                                                 Buddy 

Psalm 119:165   Psalm 18:32

1 Corinthians 15:57   Victory in Jesus...forever!