Impacting Those in Prison

We just received the following letter from a man in prison in Massachusetts:

"12-29-09

Dear Life Action Ministries,

First and foremost, thank you for caring enough about me to send me Revive magazine. As I sit here in prison, trying my best to find my way back to the Lord, it is things like Revive that are keeping my focus on the Lord and not the temptation that surrounds me.

Being a new Christian and being in jail is difficult. Unfortunately there is little to no spiritual support at this prison. The chaplain is more concerned with being a corrections officer than a spiritual leader. I depend on the Bible and magazines like yours to see me through this very difficult journey I am on.

I enjoyed very much the article on the Real Jesus being my Savior. I was so lost for so long. Pornography, drinking, lying, stealing, adultery—my life was a mess. My job, money and material things became my gods. I forgot who I was, I forgot who God was. Then I was arrested. I honestly believe it was God’s way of getting my attention. Believe me, he got my undivided attention. I had forgotten so much about God and Christ, and frankly I never in my wildest dreams thought that God would ever take me back.

While here in prison I borrowed a Bible and began to read. One character struck me hard, and that was Paul. After all the bad he had done he still went on to be one of the greatest disciples. At that point I realized I still had a chance. I finally realized that God actually loved me, and wanted to forgive me. It was then that I surrendered my life to Jesus.

Even though I have lost everything, money, car, friends, family, job, everything ... I realize now that none of it mattered. Not one thing I ever bought or wanted would help me honor God. When I walk out the doors of this prison in June 2011 I am going to be homeless, broke, no clothes, no car, no nothing. But I know God will provide for me!

In Revive magazine this month there was an ad for a workbook that caught my attention. It is called Seeking Him workbook. The questions that were asked in the ad for this book hit me right between the eyes. I answered yes to all of them. I am wondering if there is any way I could get a copy of this workbook. I have no money to send, I have nothing. All I can do is promise that when I get out, get a job and get stable that I could send money then. I am embarrassed to have to ask this, I feel like a heel and a beggar, but I have no other choice. If not, I understand.

Thank you again, you are making a huge difference in my life!

May God bless you all!"

You are having an impact across this nation.

Blessings on your day.
BG

June 1, 2009

We had a great time celebrating Keely's graduation this past Saturday. Thank you so much for your cards & prayers for her.

The Lord held off the rain & it turned into a beautiful afternoon.

Family Camp 1 starts today at Life Action's Camp. Would appreciate your prayers! Tom Harmon is the speaker.

"For a Christian leader, brokenness is a dear friend, and pride is the enemy." Crawford Loritts.

Crawford Loritts has a great book out on leadership called Leadership as an Identity: The Four Traits of Those Who Wield Lasting Influence. Check it out.

Hope you have a blessed week!
BG

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Well we had our "family date" at the new Barnes & Noble in South Bend tonight - it was a nice time.

Last night the girls' softball team won again. So far they are 4 - 1 which is a tremendous start for this team. Both girls had a great game with Lauren making some nice plays at 2nd base & Keely getting some verry good hits.

We are getting ready for Keely's graduation open house this Saturday - looks like the Lord is going to bless us with some good weather. Sunny & in the low 70's.

Read Nancy Leigh DeMoss' blog post - "Prejean's Story Points to Deeper Issues in the Evangelical World" - http://tinyurl.com/qhj6zu

Memorial Day

Hope this has been a great weekend for you and hope you took time to pray for the families of the fallen soldiers. Check out - http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=109404061487&h=E8CMG&u=I6CkQ&ref=mf

Keely Graduates this Month!

As hard as it is to believe for us, Keely graduates from high school (home school) this month. We will be having an open house in her honor on Saturday, May 30 at our home. Keely plans on attending Southwestern Michigan Community College here locally for her first two years and is then thinking about possibly the Chicago Institute of Art for a degree in design. This summer, she will again be serving at the eight weeks of Life Action’s Family Camps.

For those of you too far away to attend, it would bless us if you were able to send a note of encouragement to Keely for her graduation. So many of you have been a part of her life since she was a small girl & a note from you would mean so much!

Thank you for how you have invested in her life.

March Update

Monday, March 9, 2009

Well, we haven't updated you in a while and for that I apologize.

We are doing well and settling back in here in Niles.

Angela has just about got the house in order & the three of us straightened out! :-) She is part of a Beth Moore study on Daniel that is being given here at the NMC (LIfe Action's headquarters).

Lauren has been accepted to go on staff full time with The Lodge, which is Life Action's ministry to pastors & Christian leaders. She & Keely are also in the Daniel study.

Keely is finishing up her Senior year in high school & is volunteering part-time as a receptionist at the headquarters. She's still not excited about having to page people yet.

Both Lauren & Keely are staying busy babysitting.

I am getting back into the swing of things here at the ministry. I leave tomorrow (Tuesday, March 10) for San Antonio, TX. We will be having the ministry's Semi-annual Board of Directors' meeting there as well as our annual Vision Gathering of friends of the ministry.

Thank you so much for your prayers & support - you have blessed our family!

Check out our blog at http://bgandangelaallen.blogspot.com/

We are at about 80% of the financial support that we need. Please pray for us in that regards.


Seeking Him for revival,
BG Allen

Greetings from the Frozen Midwest!

We apologize for not updating this sooner but as many of you can understand it has been busy. We are in our house and the boxes are slowly and surely disappearing. BG is in his second full week at the ministry. He is quickly getting back into the swing of things and is very excited about the direction the Lord is taking the ministry. Angela is very busy getting the house in order. We did not realize how much stuff we had, resulting in many trips to Goodwill! The house is looking great and there is now plenty of room to walk around without having to move a box.

Lauren has been doing a good deal of babysitting lately and helping Angela organizing the house. Keely has been busy setting up her room, some babysitting and meeting with friends. Unfortunately for her we just found her schoolbooks this past Tuesday. So, she is back to school after her nice, long break! Freida (our very spoiled dachshund) now has a sweater as she is constantly cold, especially when going outside. She is readjusting to the cold fairly well and she has become even more attached to Keely than before!

Below are some pictures of the snow taken this week. The first one is our deck, the second is of a pine in our neighbor's yard, and the third is Freida. Currently the temperature is -12 with a windchill of -31. In South Bend, IN (just 15 minutes away) they have opened several warming centers for people. We have about 16-18 inches of snow. It has been snowing quite a bit this week so we are starting to lose track. We are VERY thankful for a warm house!

We pray that y'all have a blessed weekend! Thank you for your prayers and support of our family.

For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:5-6