Brian and Ruth Christine Newsletter: Edition 16

January 2004 Newsletter 

Time sure flies.  Here we are well into 2004.  Can I tell you a secret?  God is good =)

This is Brian writing here.  I've had quite a few topics I've wanted to write about this month but have either been too lazy or gotten distracted.  

In the news..

Ruth's finger needs prayer for healing.  It seems to fluctuate in it's state of repair almost daily.  She's well into her training for her new job which will be answering phone calls to DMV.  She should be raking in $130 a month for her full time, no benchit (?) job, which is big money for a prison job.  I found out I'm not getting my old computer job back so I'm working on alternative means of making money.

Ruth was able to place a ten minute phone call to me prison to prison just before Christmas.  That's unheard of and it was certainly a Christmas miracle.  Thank you Jesus!  We talked about her finger, her new job, and little else with such a time restriction.  We both took a break from exercise during the holidays, Ruth due to her finger and me, due to sheer laziness plus a good dose of depression. This year's holidays were really hard on me and I prayed it would be our last Christmas apart.

We've had snow on the ground here in Pendleton, OR since 2003, which is unusual.  It has sort of taken me home to an Indiana winter, but isn't that why I left the Midwest in the first place?  Ha!  Now I'm stuck even farther north than before =(  It was particularly cold here one night at -14^o F. when the front door to our unit froze shut.  It was hilarious watching people struggle to open it, especially the 85 lb, 4 1/2 foot tall Mexican.

The weather has caused a lot of problems for the sate but there are far worse problems looming.  On February 3rd, Oregon voters will decide yea or nay on Measure 30.  This was an income tax increase passed by legislature mid 2003 to balance the budget, but it will likely be nullified by the public and then immediate budget cuts of eight-hundred-million dollars go into effect.  I don't expect Oregon's DOC to see much trimming this time around, however, with the economy continuing on it's present course and with the incredible influx of new cases and incoming prisoners, Oregon can't even build prisons fast enough let alone afford to staff them.  It appears as though Oregon DOC's "glory days" are over.

Several brothers joined with me in praying and fasting for Oregon DOC's funding to dry up this year so we're waiting to see the outcome of that prayer.

There are so many things I could say here, my thoughts on missions to Mars, our involvement in Iraq, the list goes on, but it all just seems silly.  All I  really care about is Jesus Christ.  What else really matters?  Even commentary on God or Jesus seems futile.  If you could see me right now, I'd just stand here and point to Him.  What else can I do?  It's not about me.  So thank you for all your prayers for us and our little ones.  

God is growing us so much recently, I likened this time in a letter to Ruth as our journey "over the top" If you picture an ice-breaking vessel crossing the polar cap, you will gain a clearer picture of what He's bringing us through at this time in our life.  We're breaking through so much crusty restrictive frozen wasteland that it's amazing we can keep marching!

He's definitely getting us ready for something and I praise Him and welcome whatever He has in store.

Keep reading for a dose of Ruth's reflection on prison life and also for a little excerpt from her letter me that you won't want to miss!

Disclaimer:  This newsletter is not published by an organization, a religion, a group, a company or an association.  This newsletter is nothing more than words on paper.  Readers are not members of any of the about and shall not be labeled as such.

Quote: "Hell is not a punishment- it is a choice"- Brian Christine

Prison- A house of Freedom
by Ruth Christine

People who write us often give us a lot of sympathy because we are in prison.  But being in prison isn't always a bad thing.  I have met a lot of people whose lives have been changed by being here.  There are countless people who came to prison and find both a point and a purpose to their life.  They find God (or rather, He finds them).  On any given night at church, there will be at least one person who can say the they would not be alive if they hadn't come to prison!  Wow!

Yes, there are people who would have died from drugs, alcohol, gang fighting or committed suicide if they had not come here.  Prison quite literally saved their lives.  Spiritually, hundreds of people come into a relationship with God every month because they go to jail or to prison, and that's just in the state of Oregon.

Still others who already have a relationship with the Father grow in their walk with Him because they are locked up.  Personally, I can say that this time of incarceration has been one of the biggest spiritual growth spurts in my life.  It's changed me (and for the better).

Quote: "A mouth of a perfectly happy man is filled with beer"- Ancient Egyptian Adage (HuH?)

Excerpt from Ruth's August 12, 2003 letter to Brian-

"...Did you know that I Love You?  I love you, I just do.  I love you.  And seeing you makes my heart sing.  You are my best friend.  Hearing your voice makes me shake.  Your laughter makes me cry. You are my Beloved, the one promised to me.

Sometimes the darkness prevents the eyes of my heart from seeing, but it doesn't change the truth.  Your arms were made to hold me and your mouth to fit mine.  Hold me, Kiss me, and keep the dark at bay.

You are My Beloved

My crashing wave, my walk in the Redwood forest, my giant Sequoia, my warm embracing arms, my deep starry night, my warm soft blanket, my molten river."

Quote: "even when others didn't approve, she took the job only a fool would do.  She told them that she was in love with Jesus.." - Contemporary Christian Song

Conclusion:  God bless and keep all you freedom fighters out there.  Draw near to God, it's worth it!  Even if you lose EVERYTHING, if you have God, you have overcome the world and nothing can ever be truly taken from you.  In God all things consist and in His grace we walk this path humble, acting justly and loving mercy.  Hallelujah!

Brian & Ruth Christine