Kirsten and Scott--a husband and wife that are separated by jailhouse walls, as he is incarcerated despite his innocence. He is facing life in prison without the possibility of parole. As a family of 4, and then 5, as the story unfolds, Scott and Kirsten knew the "good life." But God had a better one in store. They first had to be broken. They plumb new depths of their faith and in their knowledge of the Word in these days that some would consider dark, but that God infused with great joy. Throughout a total of 16 months of separation they wrote letters to each other that are filled with the stories that capture the depth of their love, family life, fear, questioning, and details of what God is doing in, around and through them. Many of the letters are laced with snaphots of jailhouse interactions in the maximum security unit where God still dwells. It is inspiring to see how the Holy Spirit moves throughout the whole situation when you see Scott’s letter next to Kirsten’s as the days go by. Prayers are being prayed and answered and it is all recorded in the daily wrap-up. It is a God story. It is a love story. And the letters are delivered daily. Make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed to receive daily updates of our story. To learn more about this blog and the background behind it, check out the About Section.

november 28th – inside/out 2.0

by Kirst on November 11, 2009

Hi Sweetheart,

I want to write you a little bit from the book I am reading.  It is the one from Pastor Slaymaker’s son sent in to me.  It is called He Still Moves Stones by Max Lucado.  There are 2 parts of the same chapter that stuck out to me.  The first talks about the 2 Marys going to the tomb of Jesus to place warm oils on a cold body and to say farewell to the one man who gave reason to their hopes.

But it isn’t hope that leads the women up the mountain to the tomb.  It is duty.  Naked devotion.  They expect nothing in return.  What could Jesus give?  What could a dead man offer?  The two women are not climbing the mountain to receive, they are going to the tomb to give.  Period.  There is no motivation more noble.  There are times when we, too, are called to love, expecting nothing in return.  Times when we are called to give money to people who will never say thanks, to forgive those who will never forgive us, to come early and stay late when no one notices.  Service prompted by duty, this is the call of discipleship.”

That last part really spoke to me and my attitude of late.  The chapter is entitled, “It’s Alright to Dream Again.”  The next part is at the end of the chapter and concludes Lucado’s thoughts.

Suddenly, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!”  The women came up to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him.  Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid, go and tell my followers to go on to Galilee, and they will see me there.”  The God of surprises strikes again.  It is as if he said, “I can’t wait any longer.  They came this far to see me, I’m going to drop in on them.”  God does that for the faithful.  Just when the womb gets too old for babies, Sarai gets pregnant.  Just when the failure is to great for grace, David is pardoned.  And just when the road is to dark for Mary and Mary, the angel glows and the Savior shows and the women will never be the same again.  Three words.  Don’t give up.  Is the trail dark?  Don’t sit.  Is the road long?  Don’t stop.  Is the night black?  Don’t quit.  God is watching.  For all you know right at this moment he may be telling the angel to move the stone.  The check may be in the mail.  The apology may be in the making.  The job contract may be on the desk.  Don’t quit.  For if you do, you may miss the answer to your prayers.  God still sends angels.  And God still moves stones.

I am really enjoying the book and learning more about the grace of God.

Related Letters

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  2. october 2nd – inside/out 2.0
  3. take 2: november 28th – inside/out
  4. take 2: december 6th – inside out
  5. january 1st – inside/out

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Hi name is Kirsten, and I am the author of Inside/Outside. If you are new to the site, please read About The Letters and make sure you Subscribe To My Feed. To learn more about me and my interests, check out the About Me Page.

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