Last night I preached at the prison at Carlisle and God really touched hearts as I shared a few of the stories in my book, Outrageous Forgiveness In 30 Days. The premise of the book deals with the enormous power of forgiving others. I told the men of Bill Pelke who forgave the 15 year old girl who stabbed his 84 year old grandmother 34 times. The men were deeply moved and several committed to doing acts of forgiveness to those whom they have held intense thoughts of vengeance.
Due to my trials and tribulations I have immediate rapport with folks in prison. A man asked me, “Larry, how do walk into a high level prison and establish immediate communication? What is your method?” I said, "Brother, if you ever grasp the Incarnation you will understand."
I have no method. Men/women are not to be looked upon as hardened. Nicodemus of John 3 was as spiritually needy as the thief crucified with Jesus. The gifted Paul Tournier said, "I have no methods; all I do is accept people as they are." A boxcar of methods will not accomplish as much as Dr. Tournier's style.
For years the statement in church adds "Come as you are" has caught on, usually with little or no thought. The biblical idea has nothing to do with clothing, but everything to do with the heart. There is no other way to come.
