A CHRISTIAN SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR PRISON
Dr. Chapman offers inspirational messages for inmates and their families. These messages help inmates survive the challenges of prison life. A CHRISTIAN SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR PRISON offers life changing stories and helps inmates to find deep meaning in Christian and national holidays. Doctor Chapman weaves a colorful thought provoking tapestry of story and faith. These messages, warmly received by prison congregations, draw readers closer to God.
Excerpt from A CHRISTIAN SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR PRISON
The Gospel Harp Player’s Roadie
The New Testament provides numerous stories of Christ’s healings. In today’s world everyone knows of someone who received the tragic words from their doctor: ‘you have a cancer!’ Some think all the miracles happened in ‘Bible Times’. This message provides a contemporary witness to God’s healing power.
The tall slender roadie emerged from the Chevy suburban. Previously a flyer by trade, he’d served in the Air Force Transportation Command. He’d flown huge cargo transports around the world. Responsible for planes costing hundreds of millions of dollars, for two decades he led crews on military missions. Seemingly destined to travel, and now a ‘Gospel Roadie’ by trade, he chauffeured a Gospel Harp player to prisons across the country. He knew the harp player very well. They’d been high school sweethearts. Now she was his wife and his boss.
Strong, toned, and without an ounce of fat, the Gospel Harp Player’s Roadie moved quickly to unpack the twenty thousand dollar blue electric harp and place the speakers and assorted equipment on the flat bed. We pushed the expensive hi tech sound system, chords, and paraphernalia to the gym. We chatted about their trip and the many concerts they’d provided across the country at state and federal institutions. As I listened to their story it soon became apparent this couple loved the Lord and ‘had a heart’ for convicts.
Upon reaching the gym, and as if going into battle a drill, he quickly set up the equipment. The gymnasium filled with eager listeners. Almost eighty percent of the prison camp’s population attended the special program. I enjoyed the privilege of introducing them to the inmates. After my introduction, the roadie moved out of the way. No longer in the introductory spotlight, and now a sound system man again, he tweaked the system and produced the best sound possible. Our harpist’s fingers moved deftly across the strings and provided melodies fit for a heavenly chorus. Her original compositions transported our inmates far from the prison to a land of ecstasy.
Our gospel harp player provided magnificent music punctuated occasionally by her powerful testimony. The roadie, silent throughout most of the show finally rose to speak of his personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The son of missionaries, he confessed he didn’t really know Christ until his wife introduced him to Jesus. For many years she followed him around the world. But now, he followed her and brought the Gospel of Christ across the United States to those incarcerated. I found their story inspiring. I mused; so many people just drive past prisons without any concern for the prisoners inside while this beloved performer, as an ambassador of Jesus Christ, composes original compositions and visits hundreds of prisons for free!
I returned from my thoughts to listen to him. The roadie finished his testimony asking for prayers for the Gospel Harp Ministry but then shared tragic news. He suffered from leukemia! When the doctors first told him this news, they suggested he retire from his duties as a roadie and enjoy what time he could with his wife. Shocked he went to the Lord in prayer and carefully considered what he should do. He decided to remain a roadie. He’d take his medications, continue on the road, and take the Gospel to as many people as possible. He put it in the Lord’s hands. He asked for our prayers. Therefore, at the end of the show we ‘laid on hands’ and prayed for him.
Afterwards, with many prayer circles across the nation, our prayer warriors also asked for his healing.For a number of years we prayed for our Gospel Harp Roadie. Sometimes we received news his blood count was not so good. At other times he seemed to improve. Their ministry, always with new compositions returned to our little prison. The cancer hung on but our roadie hung on to Jesus Christ! Then one summer it happened. Our Gospel Harp Duo returned. The same slender roadie emerged from the well kept Chevy Suburban. His wife told us the news; the doctor said she could find no sign of cancer in his body!
Doubtless, an oncologist might have a scientific explanation for our roadie’s miraculous healing. Our roadie would tell you it was the healing power of Jesus Christ. Who do you believe? We prayed for him to remain cancer free.
Dear reader, were all the miracles in Bible Times?
THE GOLDEN PATHWAY
THE GOLDEN PATHWAY chronicles the author’s encounters with the supernatural. Details of psychic phenomena includes; angels, deja vu, ghosts, synchronistic phenomena, voices of warning, and visions. Dr. Chapman shares metaphysical experiences from a Christian perspective against a backdrop of God’s providential care. The book should appeal to readers interested in the transcendent, paranormal, or naturalistic phenomena. Due to a spiritual emphasis the author speaks to the great issues of our times. Contemporary issues encompass; animal rights, a cold war with the Chinese, Russian, Iranian and North Korean Axis, governmental ethics, race relations, and terrorism. Believers from varied faith traditions might find the book useful. You are important. God cares about you. You remain connected to the universe. What you do matters. You have a destiny to fulfill.
Excerpt from THE GOLDEN PATHWAY
CHAPTER 5 Déjà Vu—My First Precognitive Dream
My third-grade teacher, Miss McMartin, sat at her desk in front of the room underneath Washington’s picture, grading papers. Her students worked diligently at their desks. A strict disciplinarian, Miss Mac, as we called her, didn’t allow talking in class. You could have heard a pin drop in Mac’s class when the tip of my pencil broke with a loud snap! I raised my hand and asked to sharpen my pencils. Three pencils in hand, I walked to the sharpener positioned alongside the window ledge. I looked out the window and felt strange. I thought, I have been here before. I wondered how I already had looked at the scene outside. Another boy holding two pencils in his hand walked to the sharpener. He smiled and gestured to me. The scene continued to unfold exactly as I dreamed previously. I inserted my pencil and ground it to a sharp point. Removing it from the sharpener, I found the tip flawed. I decided this was an experience of note. Afterward, I shared what had happened with Miss Mac. She smiled and listened intently to my story and told me to return to my seat.
I forgot about my experience until later in the week. Miss Mac proudly announced our entire class would see a film in the auditorium. All the kids in the class knew this was a big deal. We only went to the auditorium for important events! Once inside, I sat in a large cushioned seat and felt dwarfed by the spacious auditorium. I looked up at the huge white screen on the stage. Miss Mac walked to the podium in her plain cotton dress and proudly announced we’d all see a movie about dreams. The lights went out. We viewed an entertaining movie featuring child actors depicting young people’s dreams with hilarious nonsensical plots. We all laughed. The movie never mentioned Sigmund Freud, C.G. Jung, or the word precognition (which probably would have confused all of us). Ironically, after having viewed the movie, the only explanation I had about the meaning of dreams was that there was no meaning! I thought dreams appeared to be utter nonsense. The film ended.
I stood up to leave the auditorium when Mr. Duncan, our beloved school principal, appeared. He looked down at me kindly and asked if I enjoyed the movie. I replied yes. After all, given what I had reported to Miss Mac, I knew the only reason we saw the movie was because of me! The educational systems’ systematic eradication of my sixth sense had begun. Many years would pass until I sought to develop my spirituality through meditation techniques. My natural paranormal ability developed through the eons and passed on through my mother’s genes, reemerged later. Some do not have the ability. Others have it and deny it. Others experience the paranormal and repress it. Others choose to experience it within safe limits. Some appear devoured by it.
I think our beloved Miss Mac and Mr. Duncan, who’ve gone on to their reward, would now agree that déjà vu exists. Ever experience a déjà vu? You’re not alone.
