Should I write to a prisoner?

[TheDag]

Oh no, don't play that game with me.

If you have questions, ask them, but ask them based on a proper understanding of the text and its context, not reasoning beyond it into extrapolation about principles of hospitality and ministry. Don't come to the text with such things already in mind, rather if they are in the text, discover them there.

If what you are not grasping is a proper understanding of the context, or the basics of Biblical hermeneutics, let me know, as I was assuming you have at least a rudimentary grasp of both. I'm more than willing to explain them.

Well actually I did politely ask you to provide more detail. Your response was to say don't ask me. Just going and reading the text would not be helpful if I looked at certain translations but only others. Yes I remembered it as saying whatever you do for the least of these you do for me. I didn't realise it had children on there as well. Of course there is room for debate as to what exactly is menat by children but not going to go into that. I was just wondering why you would include the don't ask me questions phrase. While you did explain a bit after that it was that phrase that leapt out in the first reading and certainly seems out of place for giving indication of willingness to explain.

 

[parsley]

I've thought about it and maybe it is a bad idea for me to write to one of those men. But I feel like I might be being called to write to someone lonely who doesn't get any letters.

I have a friend who feels called to write to people, and she prays about what the Lord might bring out about the person's traits, and tries to bless them with affirmation about their lives. (She usually writes to existing friends.)

Pray about what might be unique for you, and whether you need to include others in your idea.

I know people who collect hotel soap donations throughout the year, and send them. Also a group that helps battered women wrap up soup mixes to sell. A church that coordinates Christmas presents for children of prisoners. School supplies to children. Orphanage help.

Most churches have an outreach committee that writes to missionaries and helps them stay in touch with the church supporting them. I know a woman who was so blessed doing that, that she would invite us all over for dinner when the missionaries were in town. It was thrilling for her to hear about what was going on in their work, and to pray for them.

 

[tturt]

If you decide to write to the elderly, I wouldn't be overly concerned about what to communicate with them. Many of them would appreciate the fact that someone took the time to think of them.

 

[oakrun]

no it does not because you were still responding as if she should decide if they were guilty or not which is not what the OP was talking about. The OP was saying should she treat them differently because they have been found guilty. See the difference?

You are arguing with everyone in this thread.

That, says more about you than anything anyone else has written or might write.

My advice to you would be to chill and try to be friendlier and not argue with everyone.

Thanks

 

[Inkachu]

why do you feel the need to be so patronising towards me? I haven't done anything to you. Are you suggesting that I'm looking for a boyfriend or something, because I am not. I am perfectly happy to write to a woman who wants a female penpal.

Then stop focusing all your posts on male recipients and do it!

 

[TheDag]

Then stop focusing all your posts on male recipients and do it!

what did you miss the post where she said all the female prisoners wanted male penpals. So since the OP was was thinking of writing to prisoners then yeah she was going to talk about male prisoners. Considering the issue she mentioned that was causing her to question herself yeah she was going to talk about writing to male prisoners.

 

[TheDag]

You are arguing with everyone in this thread.

That, says more about you than anything anyone else has written or might write.

My advice to you would be to chill and try to be friendlier and not argue with everyone.

Thanks

Yeah I'm one of those rare people who when I see what I consider to be rubbish posted I will say so even if I am on the same side of the debate as the person. I call it integrity. Your inability to say oops i misunderstood says more about you tan anything anyone else has written.