The Wired Word for 11102024 - CourtneyR.dev's 2nd Brain

The Wired Word for 11/10/2024 ![rw-book-cover](https://readwise-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/static/images/article1.be68295a7e40.png) ## Metadata - Author: [[The Wired Word]] - Full Title: The Wired Word for 11/10/2024 - Category: #articles - Document Note: --- tags: [#heroism, #redemption, #faith, #secondchances, #communitysupport] - #heroism - #redemption - #faith - #secondchances - #communitysupport Author: [Author's Name Not Provided] Source: [News Articles and Personal Accounts] Reference: [Original Story and Relevant Bible Verses] date created: 2024-11-09 15:00 --- # Title: Heroism, Redemption, and Second Chances: The Story of Jacob Bell and Lessons from the Bible ## Table of Contents: 1. [📝 Summary](#summary) 2. [📖 Main Content](#main-content) - [🗒️ Notes](#notes) 3. [📖 References](#references) 4. [🗣️ Paraphrase](#paraphrase) 5. [📰 Newsletter](#newsletter) 6. [✅ Action Items](#action-items) 7. [🧪 Hypotheses](#hypotheses) 8. [📊 Methodology](#methodology) 9. [❓ Questions](#questions) 10. [🔮 Future Research](#future-research) 11. [💡 Implications](#implications) 12. [🧠 Learning Styles Assessment](#learning-styles-assessment) 13. [📊 Accessibility Assessment](#accessibility-assessment) 14. [🌍 DEIB Assessment](#deib-assessment) 15. [✅ Logical Validity](#logical-validity) 16. [🔍 DARVO Analysis](#darvo-analysis) 17. [🔍 SEO Evaluation](#seo-evaluation) 18. [🎯 Conclusion](#conclusion) ## 📝 Summary: This story highlights Jacob Bell, a man who saved two lives on separate occasions despite his challenging past. After spending 20 years in prison for burglary, Bell's acts of heroism demonstrate profound personal transformation and echo biblical themes of redemption and second chances. These acts, along with biblical stories of grace, showcase the potential for profound change and the importance of viewing individuals beyond their past mistakes. ## 📖 Main Content: The article intertwines modern acts of heroism with lessons from scripture, illustrating how past mistakes do not define one’s future. Bell, who once served 20 years in prison, saved an elderly man from a burning vehicle and a teenage girl from drowning, reflecting the power of redemption and second chances in real life. ### 🗒️ Notes: - **Bell's Heroic Acts**: - **Rescue of Elderly Man**: - In rural Texas, Bell saved a 72-year-old man trapped in an overturned, burning car. - He administered CPR to revive the man, who was not breathing at the time. - Bell described the scene with deep emotion, noting a telephone pole resembling a cross, which he saw as a sign of divine intervention. - **Drowning Incident at Lake Waxahachie**: - Bell, while fishing, heard cries for help and sprang into action when he noticed a 15-year-old girl drowning after slipping off a steep drop-off. - After saving the girl and performing CPR until she regained consciousness, Bell continued to respond to cries for assistance and retrieved the body of a 21-year-old man, Lincer Lopez, who attempted to save the girl but tragically drowned. - Bell's own traumatic past with his brother’s drowning added emotional weight to the rescue, making the experience a haunting reminder and a moment of healing. - **Personal Transformation**: - **Life Before and After Prison**: - Bell served 20 years of a 35-and-a-half-year sentence for burglary and faced significant challenges upon reentry into society. - His experiences demonstrate a profound shift from feeling "like a nobody" to recognizing his worth and purpose through these acts of bravery. - **Reclaiming Self-Worth**: - Bell noted how his acts of heroism helped him rebuild a sense of self that was diminished during his time in prison. - He emphasized that helping others gave him a renewed perspective on life and a reason to see himself as a valuable part of the community. - **Emotional Reflection**: - **Haunted by Past Trauma**: - Bell's brother's death by drowning when Bell was a child had a lasting impact, shaping his reaction to the lake rescue. - The emotional response to saving the girl and attempting to save Lopez allowed Bell to confront past trauma, creating a moment of bittersweet resolution. - **Religious and Spiritual Overtones**: - Bell interpreted his role in both rescues as guided by a higher power, connecting his actions to signs of divine presence and grace. - This interpretation underscores the role that faith and spiritual belief played in Bell’s journey to redemption. - **Biblical Comparisons**: - **Moses**: - A figure who committed murder but was chosen to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, demonstrating that a flawed past does not preclude significant future contributions. - **Jonah**: - Initially fled from his divine mission but was given another opportunity to obey God and lead the people of Nineveh to repentance. - **Peter**: - Denied Jesus three times, only to become a cornerstone of the early church after being forgiven and reinstated. - **Paul (Saul)**: - Formerly persecuted Christians but underwent a profound transformation to become a key figure in spreading the teachings of Christ. - **Key Message**: Redemption stories in the Bible illustrate that a person’s worth is defined by their ability to grow and change, not solely by their past mistakes. - **Community Support and Reintegration**: - **Supportive Environments**: - Communities play a crucial role in helping formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate, contributing to reduced recidivism and promoting positive societal contributions. - **The Role of Faith-Based Groups**: - Faith organizations often offer the necessary support and belief in a person’s potential for change, mirroring the forgiveness and support outlined in scripture. - **The Power of Personal Testimonies**: - Bell's story, along with other redemption narratives, can inspire change and shift societal perceptions about those who have paid their debts to society. - **Examples from Scripture**: - **Joseph and His Brothers**: Joseph forgave his brothers who sold him into slavery, choosing to help them instead of seeking revenge. - **Hosea and Gomer**: Hosea’s acceptance of his wife, despite her infidelity, symbolizes unconditional love and forgiveness, offering a model for community acceptance and support. - **Emphasizing Forgiveness and Second Chances**: - **Micah 7:18-19**: - Illustrates God’s joy in forgiving and “casting sins into the depths of the sea,” symbolizing complete forgiveness. - **Luke 19:8-10 (Zacchaeus)**: - Jesus recognized Zacchaeus’s potential for transformation before Zacchaeus demonstrated any change, emphasizing the importance of seeing people for their potential rather than their past. - **Ephesians 4:21-24**: - Encourages individuals to put away their former selves and embrace a new identity aligned with righteousness and holiness. - **Practical Applications**: - The lessons can be applied by churches and communities aiming to support those with a criminal background, providing a space for growth, service, and reintegration. - **Challenges to Overcome**: - **Stigma and Stereotypes**: - People with criminal records face societal stigma that can hinder their reintegration and self-worth. - Bell's story challenges stereotypes, demonstrating that people can change and contribute positively. - **Legal and Structural Barriers**: - Nearly 44,000 legal barriers exist that prevent individuals with criminal records from accessing housing, employment, and other necessary resources, many of which are unrelated to their past crimes. - **Prison Fellowship and Advocacy**: - Organizations like Prison Fellowship advocate for a culture of second chances, emphasizing that people are more than their criminal records and can make significant societal contributions. - **Quotes and Reflections**: - **Lee Horton’s Perspective**: - "Freedom is a responsibility. ... You start doing things to build your community up -- that is when you truly realize that you're a free person." - **Geoffrey Owens on Second Chances**: - "The idea of getting a second chance shouldn't be a matter of being 'in the right place at the right time.' It should be firmly built into the country's legal system." - **Heather Rice-Minus**: - Argues that expecting continued payment after a debt is fulfilled is unjust, drawin - Summary: In early October, Jacob Bell, 47, was driving a truck in rural Texas when he came upon a burning car flipped upside down next to a telephone pole. Dear Class Members, Our lesson this week uses news of two heroes to discuss how God gives us the chance to redefine our lives and discover our worth, meaning, purpose and usefulness in the world. ![](https://www.thewiredword.com/_img/tww_logo_email.jpg) **Two Men Become Unexpected Heroes*****The Wired Word*** **for the Week of November 10, 2024** **In the News** In early October, Jacob Bell, 47, was driving a truck in rural Texas when he came upon a burning car flipped upside down next to a telephone pole. Rushing to the scene, Bell found an elderly man underneath airbags in the driver's seat. He pulled the man, who wasn't breathing, out of the vehicle, and administered CPR. "After maybe five or 10 seconds, I could feel a faint pulse," Bell said. The 72-year-old unnamed driver from Houston, who sustained broken ribs in the accident, and Bell, who needed treatment for smoke inhalation, were both taken to the same hospital in Fort Worth, where they were placed in the same room. Bell, who had been worried that he might not be able to save the injured man, noted that the telephone pole at the crash site looked like a cross up in the sky. "I kept thinking that was God. There he was watching over us. I broke down," the trucker said. "God is working in my life, very much so," he added. Only six weeks earlier, Bell had been fishing with a buddy the morning of August 24 at Lake Waxahachie, about 35 miles south of Dallas. After he dropped off his friend at the boat ramp, Bell heard some screaming. Members of a church group from Garland who had just been baptized were relaxing in the water when one of the new believers, 15-year-old Genesis Delgado, slipped off a steep drop-off and began to drown. Another new convert, 21-year-old Lincer Lopez, jumped in to try to rescue her, but died in the attempt. Bell saw Delgado struggling in the water about a hundred yards away and managed to get her into his boat. He performed CPR on the distressed teensuntil she vomited and gasped for air. As soon as he got her to shore, where police began to assist the girl, Bell heard people shouting in Spanish about another person still in trouble in the lake. He ran into the water in the direction where they were pointing, and recovered Lopez's body about 12 feet below the surface. Bell said he was heartbroken and haunted by his inability to get to the young man in time. The death of Lopez brought back the trauma Bell experienced when his own brother drowned at the age of 3. Jacobo Lopez said in Spanish that his nephew Lincer was so excited about his upcoming baptism that he couldn't sleep the night before. And only an hour after his baptism, Lincer risked his life to save someone else. "He was a hero," said the elder Lopez, adding that he worked hard in construction to send money to his siblings in Chiapas, Mexico. Bell agreed, calling the younger Lopez "a true hero," of whom his family "should be very proud." Carmen Guzman Mata responded to a Waxahachie Police Department public notification on August 24 about Lincer's death: "He had just given his life to Jesus and got baptized today. We know that he is in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Only a few years ago, Bell would have not imagined himself as a hero, let alone on two separate occasions. That's because he was convicted of burglary in 1996 and sentenced to 35 and a half years in prison. He served 20 years before his release six years ago. "Spent most of my life thinking that I was just a nobody, and a castaway, never was going to get my self-worth back," said Bell. "And this has really shown me that it's possible to give back and to feel good about yourself, and that means something." More on this story can be found at these links: [North Texas Hero Saves Two Lives After Spending 20 Years in Prison (with 3:11 Video).](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIdWYEvlARclgGGnpZz9yWoQ72856H4sKTRiD8qZxLCuJ58ighfHxldjmgIhEuxQ5Svfb2r4XBy5oTYBuR236Xvdnyoaru4s8UiIMsYpRU9htshd-2F5KDdymfr5SOU0DzLQIRTuCBx9YO3y47sxn4W6s-3DooD6_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq57zi8ZPWjHNj8PBhNTroE7AI-2BA8Eg-2Fr-2BEYBBfZTB4-2Bju6qKUPIsFytnwfoQ9wTwgQCeq0KZBh1n3-2BfUG-2F7w3APpfrlDJ4nOmHrT-2B19-2Fob-2BSrmPrdjlwDpH9G2gwr6-2BIGrlvHLTVigkZRcgTNfx6hlqoIBI6OEDdEVwk9miPxb2qEunqfhrzXV3fjjUl8j-2BAQOiWhA2PFZ-2BZDNFVKZLsmUOM-3D) [*NBCDFW Channel 5*](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIdWYEvlARclgGGnpZz9yWoQ72856H4sKTRiD8qZxLCuJ58ighfHxldjmgIhEuxQ5Svfb2r4XBy5oTYBuR236Xvdnyoaru4s8UiIMsYpRU9htshd-2F5KDdymfr5SOU0DzLQIRTuCBx9YO3y47sxn4W6s-3DIMjV_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq5xlzaL8q4CQp-2BiVVTyKRGu6eMmPNzNyxLQNr8wuewzxgPgcEpKML-2BcnpeY7NrlQ8Vmongujb9kpg4vawy0ye-2BG2VXVA4zZUlESB6qGobTP9W2T3-2BrXygVYG-2BNLOhOjraCw3LLfNqvQ7eFvpMPna0Pq3RftEn3V6jFM-2BpoSZqcJd4lNnf9rT7k5sevgWDsJXM7krrg54ki8ZuoBrnu-2FOtYG8-3D) [North Texas Hero Who Saved Teen From Drowning Rescues Driver From a Burning Vehicle (with 1:49 Video).](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPGzX3hb169ykSMU8s0-2B1bCUjXX-2BYNs7vfXy9sga77AUW9sAD_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq5yjvQRjg5IoyPs0af6Y0OOceTRamPjcZgqDcL600ttDGdm5CpZ7pvaVmGtLmJeVYktFJI4MS4bssirVx2Bx-2BRu7gak8dyC-2FH0-2FSjOo4CSq9LbTNOCOJtx-2BTIRtRZMqns6Mz9T08kF9LEaPZNWThAoe1pHq-2FD3kgByWzKZ-2BY1jrC1w94CUwL2JsaXVzMQtZI5pXFINKFnOcOil6MgqhODoLs-3D) [*WFAA*](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPGzX3hb169ykSMU8s0-2B1bCUjXX-2BYNs7vfXy9sga77AUWrOT8_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq53l9BgkRIp7qOOsMepoUKdiQsXeAhJwdr22IvnwzfRASMfIB-2BLTl7H22qHEohF7nW4Nck1zSKjTm2s09Pn8uyS4Hm7kyFQ7jDyoTTrOJUy9eTw2NwM53zdHsFcBo0XDxUCHOgSIx0E943XDXGLX7jWlAuGXpnt4Y-2BmWA0xLJ6TMFSr9-2BJtoX2rtUoGj7EMIjFK1KYaEIcmHiXMZo97LxHqA-3D) ['He Was a Hero': Man, 21, Dies Saving Drowning Teen an Hour After His Baptism.](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIE-2BAEn-2BGgB-2FsHTbOnycZ178dnUDDErA-2Fog8HLHjBY5-2F-2Fc3cZmxchtZJX5QqGhT-2BA6TjOxtK5ycE0n4i9N9LnpgQKcxe6QhSQHsCusYNUVqHctj7SprvVG2cYkFazgsH4mHxsyF9rqI477NW-2FS8kv8M-3DwNT3_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq5zUfoKDYtLBv7JUk8Z1qBqffCFHT3JEykltW0XhQKMNI92oZVskg9rCIps-2BGn0iLN7z0aAzIJngeJwvuea-2BvDgaatgYRD-2BemvCnzkzfYNbeG4KQPsgm1RLKvVVWWr3CiGMehNJDce-2Fqk-2F1rNMXnczM-2BocqDUtMjigGXtiYy0loQAxLJUaYWSTAjCmgQdqy81AJ7tcGmaoYJmaHmZGwNcqlI-3D) [*WAGM Channel 8*](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIE-2BAEn-2BGgB-2FsHTbOnycZ178dnUDDErA-2Fog8HLHjBY5-2F-2Fc3cZmxchtZJX5QqGhT-2BA6TjOxtK5ycE0n4i9N9LnpgQKcxe6QhSQHsCusYNUVqHctj7SprvVG2cYkFazgsH4mHxsyF9rqI477NW-2FS8kv8M-3D6nkX_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq54n1I50uTmAHrenNLkDqIpxm6LhaB5A-2FYwGcT7TNy1SkegMhmyNE0aJamZ0S0SMMLXlu-2FBnqUAM1M2D64TcEPWuXZHm-2FY-2F9CwjkFEn55SpdaADGk7AbaSyMOLeWhsgUeBRLUDVcM9qqN-2B4nOh4PhtIUJ4ai9iovExqdQtdq0uhmG0M1k4a57xQWahpMqZR1hvAIN6O77J7FY11D7noeOpTU-3D) [21-Year-Old Who Had Just Been Baptized Dies Trying to Save Drowning Girl: 'He Didn't Think Twice'.](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPNAUfOjVdEsPLb8scu7FSF1VlgY77pd9XAzaS6vE4keFf1eblhP4W704FqjcwJbOu3NVPxq9NRO-2ByJvZUTMjJi-2Fj7v13SbOBWB6SyWfnNYGMGsoZdkurc7AXrqbX1RLEHQ-3D-3DT8Ta_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq5-2F3pDmwHww7EBPeQAMcpk6jH5Yg4iiPegsU9pAyYK93V58kSynXosmNzTyKJmjdDHdok2n38e5OuFaArHhneoPjPMzpUzvoAP-2B1mNeXJqzAGlr8zwAMFYNGmwNK2Bm1B4m6l-2ByZBEs8U7Bzt-2F8jBRr1jM45X30b5CjHDXtvKCTPOivQrSJdrDpnZSDYxGyvmYk4S-2BHGC7hdmuwqdm7unUbE-3D) [*People*](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPNAUfOjVdEsPLb8scu7FSF1VlgY77pd9XAzaS6vE4keFf1eblhP4W704FqjcwJbOu3NVPxq9NRO-2ByJvZUTMjJi-2Fj7v13SbOBWB6SyWfnNYGMGsoZdkurc7AXrqbX1RLEHQ-3D-3DdN-y_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq5yXgEvbNWngIds4MR76DQDe1ny-2F-2BjF-2B-2FiBYlu-2FSKvdXjlkbdiOzD0aolCaaLfSniMlpDNPUoRQ5YF6seh9usIrmlKM6yVLCNqv3MGdRzSvSkgA-2BnQjfz80Pc-2F52uKlb8znejRB6HyKcJyFfvj3g7dlw7m7823Nu7uri9hMUq-2BhrYmRKimo4ZT2CHIOphNqO40Y-2FhrCbCeePBCW7bWN92hY0-3D) [Man Drowns in North Texas Lake While Saving Teenage Girl After His Baptism (1:58 Video).](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJ3KxXmoHVCK-2FIKENbXy21oTwvlb8eGlv1tf5Fn996ECgdy7c4RG20v7a32MZXK0CbHrc8EUuYGb5aojaStMdSiwvJTCv-2FnDSPJTwPdzJ-2Fesh1tcy-2FhCk4RZqsGcYaLaYwnki2AsdM0wWFQM7kmJED52jeLKZr9oN7DptJru3yU-2BgRdYqh-2BfHUex-2FyJTt-2Fs6mAxHWdqUdfooKNiUtE54Jr-2BMbqe9lzXKBqTPKyWeSC8yAWXi_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq57SmJdXFXhz8ScrMaTbc27ML0rhw58seq9qpC7b9d7o5JgRvMBsAg72Ex3rn9Un-2F-2BfiO9D1BVZttAPrdYHWT7ywVG9EWch37fvMy2BLRbQiCAhfLMYuF0tMtiNxOrrivsgRLvSNs9BYDuKQXwTH8ub2DEl4sC6QkxcbBFWRuPKLHPZY-2FmxBXdGXsZpFmhgIn3goTInyoQVK1AeO9-2F587-2FEk-3D) [*News4SanAntonio*](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJ3KxXmoHVCK-2FIKENbXy21oTwvlb8eGlv1tf5Fn996ECgdy7c4RG20v7a32MZXK0CbHrc8EUuYGb5aojaStMdSiwvJTCv-2FnDSPJTwPdzJ-2Fesh1tcy-2FhCk4RZqsGcYaLaYwnki2AsdM0wWFQM7kmJED52jeLKZr9oN7DptJru3yU-2BgRdYqh-2BfHUex-2FyJTt-2Fs6mAxHWdqUdfooKNiUtE54Jr-2BMbqe9lzXKBqTPKyWeSC8yiQ8z_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq5-2FutvWIzlaF0N6d1PdfQkssuSS3SJm36NGJBkL2bYV-2B1RhgCQXRbeLOAZCLoFw4Apo9SCo9VXRMt8MG4156pr-2B9hXB2ZB4s7DEyPfEHnbyuY04fbr79IMh4GF33S0cUeCFxukSDx7-2B-2FbAKfrm9MMLjJLAuPOQAdpfuLjE7uQ0LAp7nBcncNekU4RVW5j8tq51VX5281eKtb75-2BXJjkdGcy8-3D) **Applying the News Story** The Bible is full of illustrations of God giving people second and third chances, and more. Moses, who murdered a man, was called to lead God's people out of slavery; Jonah, who ran away when God told him to preach to his enemies, finally obeyed, leading to their repentance and salvation; Peter, who denied even knowing Jesus, was recommissioned and became a leader in the early church; Paul, who had persecuted Jesus' followers, came to love them and work to strengthen the church. We also see examples of people who extended second chances to others who didn't necessarily deserve them. Joseph didn't hold the sins of his brothers who had sold him into slavery against them, but gave them a home, food and other resources so that they could survive and thrive in a foreign land. David gave crippled Mephibosheth, the grandson of King Saul, his nemesis who had tried to kill him, a place at his royal table. Hosea brought his faithless wife Gomer back into his embrace, along with the children to whom she had given birth by other men. God offers us the chance to be reborn into a new kind of life through Christ, both for our own salvation, and also to transform the way we relate to others. What will we do with God's offer of transformative grace? **The Big Questions** 1. What makes a person a hero? 2. What gives your life worth, meaning and purpose? 3. What biblical figures can you name who were given a second chance to turn their lives around after making a major mistake? What can we learn from their inclusion in the salvation narrative? 4. What kind of message do you think former prisoners hear from Christians about their place in the community of faith? 5. How can the church make space for people who have blown it in the past to rebuild their broken lives? **Confronting the News With Scripture and Hope**Here are some Bible verses to guide your discussion: **Micah 7:18-19***Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of his possession? He does not retain his anger forever because he delights in showing steadfast love. He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.* (For context, read [Micah 7:18-20](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxbUDNhrkY-2FS9kpVh-2BL1nJqtQkyopiSajBsFTfs2zEKIjUnKpVW-2FDZbKc6-2B4t2CwQM-o77_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq52rUVXm0p6xfTnutOptPnWLkRHQGj1-2F0MMr70mr7MtuTbXY-2Bxptn-2F5Cxko4dUHaBOj-2Bws-2FVR389GktjOD-2B6cEH6apwo42ut-2BQ2sZT2qZHt9XkKhCI47734scK4eROJgYkv-2BvxFBGfcdo4kUkmoQZozbkKoZp59AqExQ2cuBPM3yZ66ad8YAqFDkmPPLHl1zu0eI6q5XYE5ZOjqXnWSviSzQ-3D).) Micah presents a picture of a God who, unlike other gods, prefers mercy over vindictive retribution. Other translations render the phrase "steadfast love" as "mercy." God takes delight in showing mercy to the truly repentant. > **Questions:** What is the meaning of the metaphor that God "will tread our iniquities under foot"? What is the impact of God "cast[ing] all our sins into the depths of the sea"? What is the significance of the word "all" in this context? How might our personal relationships with people who have sinned against us change if we followed God's example and "tread their iniquities under foot" and "cast all their sins into the depths of the sea"? How might our criminal justice system change if we found a way to do that? How could such action be taken safely, without causing harm to society? **Luke 19:8-10***Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much." Then Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost."* (For context, read [Luke 19:1-10](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxIkEEsiUzCWFwEMnuuNJIubYI1zntB7yw20V1OCuDZzjnT3PUh7IgxxnoHf7EcCkK_d3c_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq5zEvBToiTIu30145hVjnTsZVwdafUBcW8tmsD-2B-2F9K8fqXeROZz8iKFbVM5YRwcLqBxkKRlB40Xoy6a2ibxa1Nwvi7UFpr41CG1FwBqrovrT0Aak8whC6QfVuFH18ciG2WYoIlyMQlRi6eh3wu-2BYdn8I5MhNk6QMdR0-2BrLjRclJMZZtRXjOXjpTdfYr48Tja9wa8ADN7hKngOI15nXDlNnnM-3D).) Most people in Jesus' day viewed tax collectors with disdain, since they were seen as corrupt collaborators with the despised Roman oppressors. But Jesus gives Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector in Jericho, the honor of hosting him, much to the chagrin of observers (vv. 5-7). > **Questions:** What is the significance of Jesus' acceptance of Zacchaeus *before* the tax collector has given any indication of his intention to change his life? In what way is Jesus' statement that Zacchaeus is also "a son of Abraham" part of what it means that salvation had come to his house? How could the way we relate to other sinners lead them to a new self-image and change in their behavior? **Acts 11:25-26, 29-30***Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they met with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called "Christians." ... The disciples determined that, according to their ability, each would send [famine] relief to the brothers and sisters living in Judea; this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.* (For context, read [Acts 11:19-30](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxeSto9SSBMaoYvHdk-2FIVeV0uoF3WEaJTMCPbellkSkOn0gOWL5modx66TCFl4bxYf4Y9s_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq50LcK5ylSc675g8-2FYkKGB-2Br1a4o1Ctlc-2FJT3KWbI1sFctxtCGliGTpOnBBd5ZBqJSzIYESvpk7Okgjmcgo21HnLaOHvtxHBos0wGDBn-2B8pFzI6rF-2FjjkY58TFkSnUpOYszVRJG6kzTCvEcAQ-2BF9XiMhIV9OwFiU94aResQvv8iIjUrTAUS0N1-2BdytXupAPj0dqs5nrEW0UYrgFzeqsHKaqE-3D).) In the early days of the church, believers scattered because of the persecution that intensified in connection with the murder of deacon Stephen (v. 19). When the leaders of the church in Jerusalem heard that many people were coming to faith in Antioch, they sent Barnabas there (vv. 21-24). When he saw how God was working, he thought of one man, a recent convert, who had been present when Stephen was killed and who had approved of the murder. "Saul needs to see this," Barnabas thought to himself. "He needs to see that God's power is greater than his past sins and failures, that God can bring something good even out of the worst things we have ever done." So he went looking for Saul and brought him back to Antioch. > **Questions:** What empowered the believers in Antioch, some of whom may have been relatives and friends of Stephen, the murder victim, to not only tolerate Saul and allow him to sit in their midst, but to believe that he had something to teach the community of faith? What is the significance of the fact that he was chosen, alongside Barnabas, to carry the famine relief to the brothers and sisters living in Judea? What might it say about their belief in the power of the Gospel to change people, who can then make a positive difference in the lives of others? **Ephesians 4:21-24** *For surely you have heard about him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus, to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.* (For context, read Ephesians [4:21-32](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzx-2F9xuITdvxpNxFuzW6j6ZGMR94Bz6rESdnmcZIYXaqFeM6WAlJU-2BH-2B1dedgISbov53ad2_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq5zDTR39qYTltmvetH0p1iFhXHhZKszkq6JgpyajL2rCf2iNobqpq8-2FfqNVGEEzNW5f7nMdNHFBXNTcbB9v-2BGcwTbLyW86KKFZls5qnRhbTxHi7LHoEZyzblyRbUxg10tBpE2R9b7aMPX5IbeCqQJM1GdBxo87ETR2qqm2Ft6v8qy4qViIZXkZLqh0Xo0jU8qyY3f1D-2F1BpjUJIHt-2BvEYLZA-3D).) Paul taught that in Christ we are given the opportunity to turn away from destructive patterns of past behavior as we are "renewed in the spirit of our minds and ... clothe ourselves with the new self." That means that we are not to hold anyone's past against them, but we do still expect to see positive changes in their lives: the former liar is not to lie any more, but to become a truth-teller "for we are members of one another" (v. 25); the former thief is not to steal any more, but rather should become a worker "so as to have something to share with the needy" (v. 28). The person who once was full of bitterness, wrath, anger, wrangling, slander and malice, must replace those attitudes with kindness, tenderheartedness and forgiveness (vv. 31-32). > **Questions:** How has the "truth in Jesus" changed you? How do people "put away their former way of life, their old selves"? What steps can we take "to be renewed in the spirit of our minds"? How do we "clothe ourselves with the new self"? **For Further Discussion** 1. React to this, from [Lee Horton](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPE-2BdbGNfkH0-2B0v7RCJobymZrz9bms2K2K3sTGzgE80girmUi_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq50R1bSOpMcw4fAOXfiPBYrCWifkhQKYar0Bo8cxdudDzClD1gWReYvMTrF51z8ejWf1frM-2Fuw4THnIl-2BdSfny38qbiOhh6zRb4o8rwgoUAXHk3LSVSyDXDbHc6GCGci7hkdwlbwQdNiBiAkAXuyrefyJbT2eJrNPkWYiUigmMzU6bAuSJJVyOfgtBqhwyMg-2B4y87kzfxZZXl6jRSDynec0s-3D), who served 28 years of a life sentence in prison before he was granted clemency in 2021 and released: "I think that freedom is a responsibility. I think that when you find your purpose, ... when you find out what you were meant to do in life, that's when you find out what freedom is. It's your community. If you're not doing anything in your community, then you're not free. You start doing things ... to build your community up -- that is when you truly realize that you're a free person. ... You think everything is lost. And then all of a sudden, ... your life is given back to you. ... 'What are you going to do with it?' That to me is a true second chance." 2. Discuss this, from actor [Geoffrey Owens](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPKx9W1Gq6kio-2Bgp3BHm2FgY4lf41KetJmxEKGKMdLRJ0HjwIqe3b4iod7wrQogrdhHrvs70ZRYUpUb8pptF2Cvjv-2FF7OjRt9-2BmWSLO6-2FMM6rN5X-2FEwv5IFJJ4M3AQVvRow-3D-3Dg-vI_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq51g07DnyzygoCmUCSQgNJaCMPXRUmbGGDcfC-2FLWDVF3mxg2O3C3Z-2FcIDn5FT2-2BieeMQU6XMATYO73JzqhR3nmx0ZnevFXWaI3zvYJJnBgUx-2BrYOyFeNLURlKuCwar6Sa4NSIwxc-2BCUOrrOcQzTXT2XPS3HR-2BmIiuf9cubinGqVeM6toMtT4aj2wRIlYDOMHW8AkvW3ReMaTTqHIpepgEfEw-3D), best known for his role as Elvin on *The Cosby Show*: "Lawmakers need to visit prisons to see how their decisions affect real people. ... when they and the legal system call for mandatory minimum sentences, they destroy whole families by removing a central element of justice and fairness: giving someone a second chance. ... the idea of getting a second chance shouldn't be a matter of being 'in the right place at the right time.' It shouldn't depend on luck. It should be firmly built into the country's legal system. ... Most people deserve a second chance, as you and I do. They're not evil beings devoted to crime, chaos, and destruction. They are ordinary people who have changed. And these same ordinary people often do extraordinary things when given the opportunity." 3. According to [Prison Fellowship](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPAVl9Jjp1-2BoheAFx2rfrd78e6-2F7dopyvx859KqUESrxXS2QjcyXjo-2FjtoUD3SmWTKzoG3Z7saUSybWfySHR0eyV1Oy448JP-2FLh2pNPeGDFDGqS3__-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq52B31G7fCELuDccMmS8tpjUWBnh7pRkLp1dg9eVpHn9d87rZAewAiG2iIwubtg4wt4vD3fHughO7WG4hB0P3IVg5ADkKtZT7M7GV8Jau0XxBQNaNLUY7kmACsgyVQNzF33FfD0-2FmZu7GIYw8i3FE7vocN3NzxjieawvDFABERFMJnIL8JqzCoEaE993ymre-2Bja9HScGA42mRxBwJxdWkGNA-3D), 70 million Americans, or one in three American adults, have a criminal record. This ministry is based on the idea "that people with a criminal record have the dignity and capacity to make important contributions to society." People with criminal records face nearly 44,000 legal barriers to securing gainful employment, health care, housing, education, financial services, transportation and other everyday necessities needed to reintegrate into society successfully. Many of those restrictions have no relation to their previous crime (e.g., banning a person convicted of drug possession from being a licensed barber). On the Prison Fellowship website is this statement: "Millions of people in America have a criminal record. Many are ready to own their mistakes, learn from the past, and become who they're meant to be. But it's harder than it should be. At every step of the journey -- by unjust laws and daily hurdles -- they're reminded of who they were. A person's past shouldn't decide their future. "We provide opportunities for people with a criminal record to speak about their experiences, challenging negative stereotypes with narratives of hope and transformation. ... [We recognize] the basic, God-given dignity and potential of returning citizens. When we create a culture of second chances, we support justice, reduce recidivism, and protect public safety." Brainstorm ways your congregation can work to assist people with a criminal record to successfully and safely re-enter civil society. 4. Respond to this, from [Heather Rice-Minus](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPD3O29uTAK1h-2FGYJofauVfTYzws2asJtJEYFhplovS3og70fALKYSMlBjhjAY76MKUCT58hARsjHaiMd8RrfhWY-3DNxTq_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq5w-2FgvO13aM9PGSt1rw7cIX6PK9ag-2FxlsX8rI-2BLSGRbmTRTCRQByfaW3xS8avSdQM2b3FIy93Reo515K-2BrkjuBV1ytX-2BNhcffEProP762-2FwHQtnwsZfU8Ol8GI4B3BypAvsRPrEfVgtXWBQsTvD3yVTngTb-2ByFLaiTIgVFGsIOa8byhm10vbZXXUpqMGRtMnJWSPnfW6m2oP4w4XkIzMno5E-3D), vice president of government affairs and church mobilization for Prison Fellowship: "While Christians are called to forgive those who commit wrongs against them, giving a second chance to those who have paid their debts is a matter of justice. Think of it like this: It would be unjust for a mortgage provider to require payments after a house has been paid for in full. In the same way, it is unjust for us -- as individuals, businesses, and governments -- to require returning citizens to continue paying a debt that has already been satisfied." **Responding to the News** You may want to draft letters to Congress asking them to discuss how best to help individuals with a criminal record who have paid their debt to society rebuild their lives and become productive, contributing members of our communities. Consider hosting a Second Chance Sunday when you can discuss ways to work for justice and redemption, and offer prayer for individuals, families and communities impacted by crime and incarceration. You can find useful resources for these initiatives from [Prison Fellowship](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPAVl9Jjp1-2BoheAFx2rfrd79nouBy-2FxP5Y35xY3OeVAV01xLNRdp1aWPgXxkjd-2Fqr-2F-2F3fTxifLgIHS7-2Ffy-2F-2BSDzEIGgWGaW06IM0shqHODzcUHcVG_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq5-2FIPuvySvc0-2Fzt6KZuXnXMUqLqyW9UtRENPkf76aRrkVcsNcYDzOr-2FtO7Fl7Vn-2FlOxq9wmpn3LWHNYUhxwVVKw-2FfYYhJfk7KR39Z-2B2-2Fa2ZYuSzyFckwJHsAOhrvlTucKseBPqD0XFGRAY6mskvp-2B2fRv-2FAf8C18w-2FOT7Bk4MFmuH-2BZfy-2BnZa-2BYN24zDL2YHejv-2FKA6CoyPLgeGqeRR8GmIA-3D) and [Famm Foundation](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPNKnQioNtMtMVu0o-2F0gsqeoDndnS3iXoB7Qy2cONRPoMSSY8zr97as4DGwM05nb04w-3D-3DBp9J_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq5yq-2BwGHipjLeTBehHmYo8WiGviEPHM0Qk464Ud8ag4VmdA9AaJWz0BuZcCCtFSJU9q4kZqxZ-2BfBpcfSGj-2F325G-2F9LVok9Ur1wZ2aCQ3YmM3bEcG7S7aCB6EyFv1X0pJApc1JWkQmLc5QnDFE3aeNfsMTbUnr5Swf5M1Lsk2CJTSjE6EMnTzVbuufR0tZ8x-2FDmMdGuVDf-2Fq93nx25kQ6pEFU-3D). **Prayer** Merciful God, grant us the ability to see others as you see them, as people for whom Christ died, to give them a path to a new life, just as he has done for us as well. And help us to truly believe in the power of the Gospel to transform lives. Amen. **Copyright 2024 Communication Resources** [Unsubscribe From This List](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/asm/unsubscribe/?user_id=14323725&data=_wO2h6dA1DqIlW1tauwR2TO3IA58eTNhMD1qok58NNZoMDAwdTAwMJFKVBadlYEbotSbViLh3-OfC7VwuNGjY6d8Fz0Zmz1Nyd54mKEwXyXnk0lydnzzoLlERufGcG2TgLs-VRuzRiiBYN78G10EskY87VlWdaxopuedCA7iw4F1Wg8fAgZzQ9K7vhCg7T6LC1jDy6GXka0oQqPuEn-vpH6Yd4aipmNRBAZqgW1DxhEnNxttSauky1CyByzjZTbvDlSbBFcWtK2pAAfmDaqgb37rVQo_-EZWmKrFbhmyWqBxhxniK3ME3GMfRFGJZrKLcxf0Al3ZZV-zpdbSQ1htenRHmXIa5CbueN_PVKIpTPSgkmff3RvDNLGePGseoSzZ7h8XZdVicH_cgsoSPXFSH8i42z7QO3rj0UqIrpxGuA_bPkNT29YaOUP03JasyrOiCvYiAD3vE7EfRCMxQb5qcEYhdthq9rUO0aAQkKViNUShjp_688TNXfM__nOfRruPwSqz1ZO__ZOoaORopDpjaNuLUlXYdAPlu2iRSci03QPbQp-UY93P9y-YPQW-d3tzrWJxoJSYEa7bR2yDnge52P3xYU-QOc9xkuCBdOUUAx20AaXCXfkJU6G1Cz8thCWgBvYXrbdQpwUKHkajWU_K3ICtQVlEf-Tt) <div>Dear Class Members, Our lesson this week uses news of two heroes to discuss how God gives us the chance to redefine our lives and discover our worth, meaning, purpose and usefulness in the world. <img alt="" src="https://www.thewiredword.com/\_img/tww\_logo\_email.jpg"/> Two Men Become Unexpected Heroes The Wired Word for the Week of November 10, 2024 In the News In early October, Jacob Bell, 47, was driving a truck in rural Texas when he came upon a burning car flipped upside down next to a telephone pole. Rushing to the scene, Bell found an elderly man underneath airbags in the driver's seat. He pulled the man, who wasn't breathing, out of the vehicle, and administered CPR. "After maybe five or 10 seconds, I could feel a faint pulse," Bell said. The 72-year-old unnamed driver from Houston, who sustained broken ribs in the accident, and Bell, who needed treatment for smoke inhalation, were both taken to the same hospital in Fort Worth, where they were placed in the same room. Bell, who had been worried that he might not be able to save the injured man, noted that the telephone pole at the crash site looked like a cross up in the sky. "I kept thinking that was God. There he was watching over us. I broke down," the trucker said. "God is working in my life, very much so," he added. Only six weeks earlier, Bell had been fishing with a buddy the morning of August 24 at Lake Waxahachie, about 35 miles south of Dallas. After he dropped off his friend at the boat ramp, Bell heard some screaming. Members of a church group from Garland who had just been baptized were relaxing in the water when one of the new believers, 15-year-old Genesis Delgado, slipped off a steep drop-off and began to drown. Another new convert, 21-year-old Lincer Lopez, jumped in to try to rescue her, but died in the attempt. Bell saw Delgado struggling in the water about a hundred yards away and managed to get her into his boat. He performed CPR on the distressed teensuntil she vomited and gasped for air. As soon as he got her to shore, where police began to assist the girl, Bell heard people shouting in Spanish about another person still in trouble in the lake. He ran into the water in the direction where they were pointing, and recovered Lopez's body about 12 feet below the surface. Bell said he was heartbroken and haunted by his inability to get to the young man in time. The death of Lopez brought back the trauma Bell experienced when his own brother drowned at the age of 3. Jacobo Lopez said in Spanish that his nephew Lincer was so excited about his upcoming baptism that he couldn't sleep the night before. And only an hour after his baptism, Lincer risked his life to save someone else. "He was a hero," said the elder Lopez, adding that he worked hard in construction to send money to his siblings in Chiapas, Mexico. Bell agreed, calling the younger Lopez "a true hero," of whom his family "should be very proud." Carmen Guzman Mata responded to a Waxahachie Police Department public notification on August 24 about Lincer's death: "He had just given his life to Jesus and got baptized today. We know that he is in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Only a few years ago, Bell would have not imagined himself as a hero, let alone on two separate occasions. That's because he was convicted of burglary in 1996 and sentenced to 35 and a half years in prison. He served 20 years before his release six years ago. "Spent most of my life thinking that I was just a nobody, and a castaway, never was going to get my self-worth back," said Bell. "And this has really shown me that it's possible to give back and to feel good about yourself, and that means something." More on this story can be found at these links: <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIdWYEvlARclgGGnpZz9yWoQ72856H4sKTRiD8qZxLCuJ58ighfHxldjmgIhEuxQ5Svfb2r4XBy5oTYBuR236Xvdnyoaru4s8UiIMsYpRU9htshd-2F5KDdymfr5SOU0DzLQIRTuCBx9YO3y47sxn4W6s-3DooD6\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq57zi8ZPWjHNj8PBhNTroE7AI-2BA8Eg-2Fr-2BEYBBfZTB4-2Bju6qKUPIsFytnwfoQ9wTwgQCeq0KZBh1n3-2BfUG-2F7w3APpfrlDJ4nOmHrT-2B19-2Fob-2BSrmPrdjlwDpH9G2gwr6-2BIGrlvHLTVigkZRcgTNfx6hlqoIBI6OEDdEVwk9miPxb2qEunqfhrzXV3fjjUl8j-2BAQOiWhA2PFZ-2BZDNFVKZLsmUOM-3D">North Texas Hero Saves Two Lives After Spending 20 Years in Prison (with 3:11 Video). </a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIdWYEvlARclgGGnpZz9yWoQ72856H4sKTRiD8qZxLCuJ58ighfHxldjmgIhEuxQ5Svfb2r4XBy5oTYBuR236Xvdnyoaru4s8UiIMsYpRU9htshd-2F5KDdymfr5SOU0DzLQIRTuCBx9YO3y47sxn4W6s-3DIMjV\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq5xlzaL8q4CQp-2BiVVTyKRGu6eMmPNzNyxLQNr8wuewzxgPgcEpKML-2BcnpeY7NrlQ8Vmongujb9kpg4vawy0ye-2BG2VXVA4zZUlESB6qGobTP9W2T3-2BrXygVYG-2BNLOhOjraCw3LLfNqvQ7eFvpMPna0Pq3RftEn3V6jFM-2BpoSZqcJd4lNnf9rT7k5sevgWDsJXM7krrg54ki8ZuoBrnu-2FOtYG8-3D">NBCDFW Channel 5</a> <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPGzX3hb169ykSMU8s0-2B1bCUjXX-2BYNs7vfXy9sga77AUW9sAD\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq5yjvQRjg5IoyPs0af6Y0OOceTRamPjcZgqDcL600ttDGdm5CpZ7pvaVmGtLmJeVYktFJI4MS4bssirVx2Bx-2BRu7gak8dyC-2FH0-2FSjOo4CSq9LbTNOCOJtx-2BTIRtRZMqns6Mz9T08kF9LEaPZNWThAoe1pHq-2FD3kgByWzKZ-2BY1jrC1w94CUwL2JsaXVzMQtZI5pXFINKFnOcOil6MgqhODoLs-3D">North Texas Hero Who Saved Teen From Drowning Rescues Driver From a Burning Vehicle (with 1:49 Video). </a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPGzX3hb169ykSMU8s0-2B1bCUjXX-2BYNs7vfXy9sga77AUWrOT8\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq53l9BgkRIp7qOOsMepoUKdiQsXeAhJwdr22IvnwzfRASMfIB-2BLTl7H22qHEohF7nW4Nck1zSKjTm2s09Pn8uyS4Hm7kyFQ7jDyoTTrOJUy9eTw2NwM53zdHsFcBo0XDxUCHOgSIx0E943XDXGLX7jWlAuGXpnt4Y-2BmWA0xLJ6TMFSr9-2BJtoX2rtUoGj7EMIjFK1KYaEIcmHiXMZo97LxHqA-3D">WFAA</a> <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIE-2BAEn-2BGgB-2FsHTbOnycZ178dnUDDErA-2Fog8HLHjBY5-2F-2Fc3cZmxchtZJX5QqGhT-2BA6TjOxtK5ycE0n4i9N9LnpgQKcxe6QhSQHsCusYNUVqHctj7SprvVG2cYkFazgsH4mHxsyF9rqI477NW-2FS8kv8M-3DwNT3\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq5zUfoKDYtLBv7JUk8Z1qBqffCFHT3JEykltW0XhQKMNI92oZVskg9rCIps-2BGn0iLN7z0aAzIJngeJwvuea-2BvDgaatgYRD-2BemvCnzkzfYNbeG4KQPsgm1RLKvVVWWr3CiGMehNJDce-2Fqk-2F1rNMXnczM-2BocqDUtMjigGXtiYy0loQAxLJUaYWSTAjCmgQdqy81AJ7tcGmaoYJmaHmZGwNcqlI-3D">'He Was a Hero': Man, 21, Dies Saving Drowning Teen an Hour After His Baptism. </a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIE-2BAEn-2BGgB-2FsHTbOnycZ178dnUDDErA-2Fog8HLHjBY5-2F-2Fc3cZmxchtZJX5QqGhT-2BA6TjOxtK5ycE0n4i9N9LnpgQKcxe6QhSQHsCusYNUVqHctj7SprvVG2cYkFazgsH4mHxsyF9rqI477NW-2FS8kv8M-3D6nkX\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq54n1I50uTmAHrenNLkDqIpxm6LhaB5A-2FYwGcT7TNy1SkegMhmyNE0aJamZ0S0SMMLXlu-2FBnqUAM1M2D64TcEPWuXZHm-2FY-2F9CwjkFEn55SpdaADGk7AbaSyMOLeWhsgUeBRLUDVcM9qqN-2B4nOh4PhtIUJ4ai9iovExqdQtdq0uhmG0M1k4a57xQWahpMqZR1hvAIN6O77J7FY11D7noeOpTU-3D">WAGM Channel 8</a> <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPNAUfOjVdEsPLb8scu7FSF1VlgY77pd9XAzaS6vE4keFf1eblhP4W704FqjcwJbOu3NVPxq9NRO-2ByJvZUTMjJi-2Fj7v13SbOBWB6SyWfnNYGMGsoZdkurc7AXrqbX1RLEHQ-3D-3DT8Ta\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq5-2F3pDmwHww7EBPeQAMcpk6jH5Yg4iiPegsU9pAyYK93V58kSynXosmNzTyKJmjdDHdok2n38e5OuFaArHhneoPjPMzpUzvoAP-2B1mNeXJqzAGlr8zwAMFYNGmwNK2Bm1B4m6l-2ByZBEs8U7Bzt-2F8jBRr1jM45X30b5CjHDXtvKCTPOivQrSJdrDpnZSDYxGyvmYk4S-2BHGC7hdmuwqdm7unUbE-3D">21-Year-Old Who Had Just Been Baptized Dies Trying to Save Drowning Girl: 'He Didn't Think Twice'. </a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPNAUfOjVdEsPLb8scu7FSF1VlgY77pd9XAzaS6vE4keFf1eblhP4W704FqjcwJbOu3NVPxq9NRO-2ByJvZUTMjJi-2Fj7v13SbOBWB6SyWfnNYGMGsoZdkurc7AXrqbX1RLEHQ-3D-3DdN-y\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq5yXgEvbNWngIds4MR76DQDe1ny-2F-2BjF-2B-2FiBYlu-2FSKvdXjlkbdiOzD0aolCaaLfSniMlpDNPUoRQ5YF6seh9usIrmlKM6yVLCNqv3MGdRzSvSkgA-2BnQjfz80Pc-2F52uKlb8znejRB6HyKcJyFfvj3g7dlw7m7823Nu7uri9hMUq-2BhrYmRKimo4ZT2CHIOphNqO40Y-2FhrCbCeePBCW7bWN92hY0-3D">People</a> <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJ3KxXmoHVCK-2FIKENbXy21oTwvlb8eGlv1tf5Fn996ECgdy7c4RG20v7a32MZXK0CbHrc8EUuYGb5aojaStMdSiwvJTCv-2FnDSPJTwPdzJ-2Fesh1tcy-2FhCk4RZqsGcYaLaYwnki2AsdM0wWFQM7kmJED52jeLKZr9oN7DptJru3yU-2BgRdYqh-2BfHUex-2FyJTt-2Fs6mAxHWdqUdfooKNiUtE54Jr-2BMbqe9lzXKBqTPKyWeSC8yAWXi\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq57SmJdXFXhz8ScrMaTbc27ML0rhw58seq9qpC7b9d7o5JgRvMBsAg72Ex3rn9Un-2F-2BfiO9D1BVZttAPrdYHWT7ywVG9EWch37fvMy2BLRbQiCAhfLMYuF0tMtiNxOrrivsgRLvSNs9BYDuKQXwTH8ub2DEl4sC6QkxcbBFWRuPKLHPZY-2FmxBXdGXsZpFmhgIn3goTInyoQVK1AeO9-2F587-2FEk-3D">Man Drowns in North Texas Lake While Saving Teenage Girl After His Baptism (1:58 Video). </a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJ3KxXmoHVCK-2FIKENbXy21oTwvlb8eGlv1tf5Fn996ECgdy7c4RG20v7a32MZXK0CbHrc8EUuYGb5aojaStMdSiwvJTCv-2FnDSPJTwPdzJ-2Fesh1tcy-2FhCk4RZqsGcYaLaYwnki2AsdM0wWFQM7kmJED52jeLKZr9oN7DptJru3yU-2BgRdYqh-2BfHUex-2FyJTt-2Fs6mAxHWdqUdfooKNiUtE54Jr-2BMbqe9lzXKBqTPKyWeSC8yiQ8z\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq5-2FutvWIzlaF0N6d1PdfQkssuSS3SJm36NGJBkL2bYV-2B1RhgCQXRbeLOAZCLoFw4Apo9SCo9VXRMt8MG4156pr-2B9hXB2ZB4s7DEyPfEHnbyuY04fbr79IMh4GF33S0cUeCFxukSDx7-2B-2FbAKfrm9MMLjJLAuPOQAdpfuLjE7uQ0LAp7nBcncNekU4RVW5j8tq51VX5281eKtb75-2BXJjkdGcy8-3D">News4SanAntonio</a> Applying the News Story The Bible is full of illustrations of God giving people second and third chances, and more. Moses, who murdered a man, was called to lead God's people out of slavery; Jonah, who ran away when God told him to preach to his enemies, finally obeyed, leading to their repentance and salvation; Peter, who denied even knowing Jesus, was recommissioned and became a leader in the early church; Paul, who had persecuted Jesus' followers, came to love them and work to strengthen the church. We also see examples of people who extended second chances to others who didn't necessarily deserve them. Joseph didn't hold the sins of his brothers who had sold him into slavery against them, but gave them a home, food and other resources so that they could survive and thrive in a foreign land. David gave crippled Mephibosheth, the grandson of King Saul, his nemesis who had tried to kill him, a place at his royal table. Hosea brought his faithless wife Gomer back into his embrace, along with the children to whom she had given birth by other men. God offers us the chance to be reborn into a new kind of life through Christ, both for our own salvation, and also to transform the way we relate to others. What will we do with God's offer of transformative grace? The Big Questions 1. What makes a person a hero? 2. What gives your life worth, meaning and purpose? 3. What biblical figures can you name who were given a second chance to turn their lives around after making a major mistake? What can we learn from their inclusion in the salvation narrative? 4. What kind of message do you think former prisoners hear from Christians about their place in the community of faith? 5. How can the church make space for people who have blown it in the past to rebuild their broken lives? Confronting the News With Scripture and Hope Here are some Bible verses to guide your discussion: Micah 7:18-19 Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of his possession? He does not retain his anger forever because he delights in showing steadfast love. He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. (For context, read <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxbUDNhrkY-2FS9kpVh-2BL1nJqtQkyopiSajBsFTfs2zEKIjUnKpVW-2FDZbKc6-2B4t2CwQM-o77\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq52rUVXm0p6xfTnutOptPnWLkRHQGj1-2F0MMr70mr7MtuTbXY-2Bxptn-2F5Cxko4dUHaBOj-2Bws-2FVR389GktjOD-2B6cEH6apwo42ut-2BQ2sZT2qZHt9XkKhCI47734scK4eROJgYkv-2BvxFBGfcdo4kUkmoQZozbkKoZp59AqExQ2cuBPM3yZ66ad8YAqFDkmPPLHl1zu0eI6q5XYE5ZOjqXnWSviSzQ-3D">Micah 7:18-20</a>.) Micah presents a picture of a God who, unlike other gods, prefers mercy over vindictive retribution. Other translations render the phrase "steadfast love" as "mercy." God takes delight in showing mercy to the truly repentant. <blockquote> Questions: What is the meaning of the metaphor that God "will tread our iniquities under foot"? What is the impact of God "cast[ing] all our sins into the depths of the sea"? What is the significance of the word "all" in this context? </blockquote> How might our personal relationships with people who have sinned against us change if we followed God's example and "tread their iniquities under foot" and "cast all their sins into the depths of the sea"? How might our criminal justice system change if we found a way to do that? How could such action be taken safely, without causing harm to society? Luke 19:8-10 Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much." Then Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost." (For context, read <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxIkEEsiUzCWFwEMnuuNJIubYI1zntB7yw20V1OCuDZzjnT3PUh7IgxxnoHf7EcCkK\_d3c\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq5zEvBToiTIu30145hVjnTsZVwdafUBcW8tmsD-2B-2F9K8fqXeROZz8iKFbVM5YRwcLqBxkKRlB40Xoy6a2ibxa1Nwvi7UFpr41CG1FwBqrovrT0Aak8whC6QfVuFH18ciG2WYoIlyMQlRi6eh3wu-2BYdn8I5MhNk6QMdR0-2BrLjRclJMZZtRXjOXjpTdfYr48Tja9wa8ADN7hKngOI15nXDlNnnM-3D">Luke 19:1-10</a>.) Most people in Jesus' day viewed tax collectors with disdain, since they were seen as corrupt collaborators with the despised Roman oppressors. But Jesus gives Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector in Jericho, the honor of hosting him, much to the chagrin of observers (vv. 5-7). <blockquote> Questions: What is the significance of Jesus' acceptance of Zacchaeus before the tax collector has given any indication of his intention to change his life? In what way is Jesus' statement that Zacchaeus is also "a son of Abraham" part of what it means that salvation had come to his house? How could the way we relate to other sinners lead them to a new self-image and change in their behavior? </blockquote> Acts 11:25-26, 29-30 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they met with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called "Christians." ... The disciples determined that, according to their ability, each would send [famine] relief to the brothers and sisters living in Judea; this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. (For context, read <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxeSto9SSBMaoYvHdk-2FIVeV0uoF3WEaJTMCPbellkSkOn0gOWL5modx66TCFl4bxYf4Y9s\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq50LcK5ylSc675g8-2FYkKGB-2Br1a4o1Ctlc-2FJT3KWbI1sFctxtCGliGTpOnBBd5ZBqJSzIYESvpk7Okgjmcgo21HnLaOHvtxHBos0wGDBn-2B8pFzI6rF-2FjjkY58TFkSnUpOYszVRJG6kzTCvEcAQ-2BF9XiMhIV9OwFiU94aResQvv8iIjUrTAUS0N1-2BdytXupAPj0dqs5nrEW0UYrgFzeqsHKaqE-3D">Acts 11:19-30</a>.) In the early days of the church, believers scattered because of the persecution that intensified in connection with the murder of deacon Stephen (v. 19). When the leaders of the church in Jerusalem heard that many people were coming to faith in Antioch, they sent Barnabas there (vv. 21-24). When he saw how God was working, he thought of one man, a recent convert, who had been present when Stephen was killed and who had approved of the murder. "Saul needs to see this," Barnabas thought to himself. "He needs to see that God's power is greater than his past sins and failures, that God can bring something good even out of the worst things we have ever done." So he went looking for Saul and brought him back to Antioch. <blockquote> Questions: What empowered the believers in Antioch, some of whom may have been relatives and friends of Stephen, the murder victim, to not only tolerate Saul and allow him to sit in their midst, but to believe that he had something to teach the community of faith? What is the significance of the fact that he was chosen, alongside Barnabas, to carry the famine relief to the brothers and sisters living in Judea? What might it say about their belief in the power of the Gospel to change people, who can then make a positive difference in the lives of others? </blockquote> Ephesians 4:21-24 For surely you have heard about him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus, to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (For context, read Ephesians <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzx-2F9xuITdvxpNxFuzW6j6ZGMR94Bz6rESdnmcZIYXaqFeM6WAlJU-2BH-2B1dedgISbov53ad2\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq5zDTR39qYTltmvetH0p1iFhXHhZKszkq6JgpyajL2rCf2iNobqpq8-2FfqNVGEEzNW5f7nMdNHFBXNTcbB9v-2BGcwTbLyW86KKFZls5qnRhbTxHi7LHoEZyzblyRbUxg10tBpE2R9b7aMPX5IbeCqQJM1GdBxo87ETR2qqm2Ft6v8qy4qViIZXkZLqh0Xo0jU8qyY3f1D-2F1BpjUJIHt-2BvEYLZA-3D">4:21-32</a>.) Paul taught that in Christ we are given the opportunity to turn away from destructive patterns of past behavior as we are "renewed in the spirit of our minds and ... clothe ourselves with the new self." That means that we are not to hold anyone's past against them, but we do still expect to see positive changes in their lives: the former liar is not to lie any more, but to become a truth-teller "for we are members of one another" (v. 25); the former thief is not to steal any more, but rather should become a worker "so as to have something to share with the needy" (v. 28). The person who once was full of bitterness, wrath, anger, wrangling, slander and malice, must replace those attitudes with kindness, tenderheartedness and forgiveness (vv. 31-32). <blockquote> Questions: How has the "truth in Jesus" changed you? How do people "put away their former way of life, their old selves"? What steps can we take "to be renewed in the spirit of our minds"? How do we "clothe ourselves with the new self"? </blockquote> For Further Discussion 1. React to this, from <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPE-2BdbGNfkH0-2B0v7RCJobymZrz9bms2K2K3sTGzgE80girmUi\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq50R1bSOpMcw4fAOXfiPBYrCWifkhQKYar0Bo8cxdudDzClD1gWReYvMTrF51z8ejWf1frM-2Fuw4THnIl-2BdSfny38qbiOhh6zRb4o8rwgoUAXHk3LSVSyDXDbHc6GCGci7hkdwlbwQdNiBiAkAXuyrefyJbT2eJrNPkWYiUigmMzU6bAuSJJVyOfgtBqhwyMg-2B4y87kzfxZZXl6jRSDynec0s-3D">Lee Horton</a>, who served 28 years of a life sentence in prison before he was granted clemency in 2021 and released: "I think that freedom is a responsibility. I think that when you find your purpose, ... when you find out what you were meant to do in life, that's when you find out what freedom is. It's your community. If you're not doing anything in your community, then you're not free. You start doing things ... to build your community up -- that is when you truly realize that you're a free person. ... You think everything is lost. And then all of a sudden, ... your life is given back to you. ... 'What are you going to do with it?' That to me is a true second chance." 2. Discuss this, from actor <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPKx9W1Gq6kio-2Bgp3BHm2FgY4lf41KetJmxEKGKMdLRJ0HjwIqe3b4iod7wrQogrdhHrvs70ZRYUpUb8pptF2Cvjv-2FF7OjRt9-2BmWSLO6-2FMM6rN5X-2FEwv5IFJJ4M3AQVvRow-3D-3Dg-vI\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq51g07DnyzygoCmUCSQgNJaCMPXRUmbGGDcfC-2FLWDVF3mxg2O3C3Z-2FcIDn5FT2-2BieeMQU6XMATYO73JzqhR3nmx0ZnevFXWaI3zvYJJnBgUx-2BrYOyFeNLURlKuCwar6Sa4NSIwxc-2BCUOrrOcQzTXT2XPS3HR-2BmIiuf9cubinGqVeM6toMtT4aj2wRIlYDOMHW8AkvW3ReMaTTqHIpepgEfEw-3D">Geoffrey Owens</a>, best known for his role as Elvin on The Cosby Show: "Lawmakers need to visit prisons to see how their decisions affect real people. ... when they and the legal system call for mandatory minimum sentences, they destroy whole families by removing a central element of justice and fairness: giving someone a second chance. ... the idea of getting a second chance shouldn't be a matter of being 'in the right place at the right time.' It shouldn't depend on luck. It should be firmly built into the country's legal system. ... Most people deserve a second chance, as you and I do. They're not evil beings devoted to crime, chaos, and destruction. They are ordinary people who have changed. And these same ordinary people often do extraordinary things when given the opportunity." 3. According to <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPAVl9Jjp1-2BoheAFx2rfrd78e6-2F7dopyvx859KqUESrxXS2QjcyXjo-2FjtoUD3SmWTKzoG3Z7saUSybWfySHR0eyV1Oy448JP-2FLh2pNPeGDFDGqS3\_\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq52B31G7fCELuDccMmS8tpjUWBnh7pRkLp1dg9eVpHn9d87rZAewAiG2iIwubtg4wt4vD3fHughO7WG4hB0P3IVg5ADkKtZT7M7GV8Jau0XxBQNaNLUY7kmACsgyVQNzF33FfD0-2FmZu7GIYw8i3FE7vocN3NzxjieawvDFABERFMJnIL8JqzCoEaE993ymre-2Bja9HScGA42mRxBwJxdWkGNA-3D">Prison Fellowship</a>, 70 million Americans, or one in three American adults, have a criminal record. This ministry is based on the idea "that people with a criminal record have the dignity and capacity to make important contributions to society." People with criminal records face nearly 44,000 legal barriers to securing gainful employment, health care, housing, education, financial services, transportation and other everyday necessities needed to reintegrate into society successfully. Many of those restrictions have no relation to their previous crime (e.g., banning a person convicted of drug possession from being a licensed barber). On the Prison Fellowship website is this statement: "Millions of people in America have a criminal record. Many are ready to own their mistakes, learn from the past, and become who they're meant to be. But it's harder than it should be. At every step of the journey -- by unjust laws and daily hurdles -- they're reminded of who they were. A person's past shouldn't decide their future. "We provide opportunities for people with a criminal record to speak about their experiences, challenging negative stereotypes with narratives of hope and transformation. ... [We recognize] the basic, God-given dignity and potential of returning citizens. When we create a culture of second chances, we support justice, reduce recidivism, and protect public safety." Brainstorm ways your congregation can work to assist people with a criminal record to successfully and safely re-enter civil society. 4. Respond to this, from <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPD3O29uTAK1h-2FGYJofauVfTYzws2asJtJEYFhplovS3og70fALKYSMlBjhjAY76MKUCT58hARsjHaiMd8RrfhWY-3DNxTq\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq5w-2FgvO13aM9PGSt1rw7cIX6PK9ag-2FxlsX8rI-2BLSGRbmTRTCRQByfaW3xS8avSdQM2b3FIy93Reo515K-2BrkjuBV1ytX-2BNhcffEProP762-2FwHQtnwsZfU8Ol8GI4B3BypAvsRPrEfVgtXWBQsTvD3yVTngTb-2ByFLaiTIgVFGsIOa8byhm10vbZXXUpqMGRtMnJWSPnfW6m2oP4w4XkIzMno5E-3D">Heather Rice-Minus</a>, vice president of government affairs and church mobilization for Prison Fellowship: "While Christians are called to forgive those who commit wrongs against them, giving a second chance to those who have paid their debts is a matter of justice. Think of it like this: It would be unjust for a mortgage provider to require payments after a house has been paid for in full. In the same way, it is unjust for us -- as individuals, businesses, and governments -- to require returning citizens to continue paying a debt that has already been satisfied." Responding to the News You may want to draft letters to Congress asking them to discuss how best to help individuals with a criminal record who have paid their debt to society rebuild their lives and become productive, contributing members of our communities. Consider hosting a Second Chance Sunday when you can discuss ways to work for justice and redemption, and offer prayer for individuals, families and communities impacted by crime and incarceration. You can find useful resources for these initiatives from <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPAVl9Jjp1-2BoheAFx2rfrd79nouBy-2FxP5Y35xY3OeVAV01xLNRdp1aWPgXxkjd-2Fqr-2F-2F3fTxifLgIHS7-2Ffy-2F-2BSDzEIGgWGaW06IM0shqHODzcUHcVG\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq5-2FIPuvySvc0-2Fzt6KZuXnXMUqLqyW9UtRENPkf76aRrkVcsNcYDzOr-2FtO7Fl7Vn-2FlOxq9wmpn3LWHNYUhxwVVKw-2FfYYhJfk7KR39Z-2B2-2Fa2ZYuSzyFckwJHsAOhrvlTucKseBPqD0XFGRAY6mskvp-2B2fRv-2FAf8C18w-2FOT7Bk4MFmuH-2BZfy-2BnZa-2BYN24zDL2YHejv-2FKA6CoyPLgeGqeRR8GmIA-3D">Prison Fellowship</a> and <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPNKnQioNtMtMVu0o-2F0gsqeoDndnS3iXoB7Qy2cONRPoMSSY8zr97as4DGwM05nb04w-3D-3DBp9J\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWjXTZM1TgiNKg92IFG6uhWFZ0geSbTYlXVdAFSvlcUsbKzBdUzM7e02AVLg-2FwSq5yq-2BwGHipjLeTBehHmYo8WiGviEPHM0Qk464Ud8ag4VmdA9AaJWz0BuZcCCtFSJU9q4kZqxZ-2BfBpcfSGj-2F325G-2F9LVok9Ur1wZ2aCQ3YmM3bEcG7S7aCB6EyFv1X0pJApc1JWkQmLc5QnDFE3aeNfsMTbUnr5Swf5M1Lsk2CJTSjE6EMnTzVbuufR0tZ8x-2FDmMdGuVDf-2Fq93nx25kQ6pEFU-3D">Famm Foundation</a>. Prayer Merciful God, grant us the ability to see others as you see them, as people for whom Christ died, to give them a path to a new life, just as he has done for us as well. And help us to truly believe in the power of the Gospel to transform lives. Amen. 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