Author Archive: Randall Daluz

Pointing Fingers

Author: October 18, 2014

Romans 3:8-19 (NKJV)

And why not say, “Let us do evil that good may come”?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.  What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.
pointingfingerAs it is written:  “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.”
“Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit”; “The poison of asps is under their lips”; “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”  “Their feet are swift to shed blood; Destruction and misery are in their ways; And the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Now we know that whatever the law says, (more…)

Journal

James Footman

Author: October 17, 2014

Dear Readers,

This week we will begin a series of letters, lyrics and interviews provided by six inmates from various facilities throughout Maine. All of them are seeking the Lord. All of them are broken men in need of love, prayer and support. As you read their writings, I pray you keep an open mind. I pray you look past their sins and see their humanity. I am praying for all these men and I hope you will as well.

I have chosen to begin this series with song lyrics by a young man named James Footman:
“The Book Of My Life”   and   “Set Me Free”   .  When I read his lyrics, my heart broke for him. (more…)

Interviews

“Set Me Free” by James Footman

Author: October 17, 2014

Click HERE to read an introductory note from Randall regarding this post.

SET ME FREE

(Verse 1)
You don’t know my struggle; You can’t feel my pain
A kid trying to hustle on the block counting change
Didn’t know right from wrong; I was wild and free
I found where I belonged, living my life in the streets
It’s where I found love and where I fit in
Getting messed up on drugs, Just me and my friends

All it promised me was a life of complication
Life of dishonesty behind bars I’m incarcerated
(more…)

Poetry

“The Book of My Life” by James Footman

Author: October 17, 2014

Click HERE to read an introductory note from Randall regarding this post.

THE BOOK OF MY LIFE

(Verse 1)
In 1985, I was just a young seed
Brought into this world with many hopes and dreams
Like broken glass my life was shattered ’cause my dad chose to leave
So, at the age of 13, I gave my life to the streets
I’m never giving up, success is all I see
Fading away is now the pain and misery
Pictures and memories that I see from my past
Criminal activity I thought for sure would always last
All I have right now is a pen and a pad
I start you off with a sentence, then end you with paragraphs
(more…)

Poetry

A Higher Standard

Author: October 13, 2014

ladderintreeDear Readers,

Last night I was strip-searched and my meager belongings were searched.  I have been subjected to 200 or more searches over the past two years.  It is something that one never gets used to.  It is so undignified to be stripped naked in front of another man.  I always feel dirty and violated afterward.  Even though I am walking with the Lord, I struggle with my captivity at times.  Human beings were never meant to be caged.  All humans struggle with carnality, but I can tell you it is even more of a struggle when you are treated like an animal.

Being in bondage is a very painful experience.  I have become closer to the Lord than I ever dreamed possible.  This week was a hard one for me – emotionally and spiritually.  Every time I feel low, my beautiful Lord lifts me back up and reminds me that I am not alone. (more…)

Journal

Anger

Author: October 9, 2014

Psalm 37:8file3691295046962  Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. (KJV)

Anger is the spawn of hurt and pain; all of which are the tools of the devil.  My father used to say, “Hurt people, hurt people.”  Pain, sadness, sorrow and anger are the gateways to evil.  If you do not seek the Lord to help you deal with them, then they will fester and take root in your heart.  Once that happens, the devil will begin to manipulate you.

We are constantly in a spiritual battle on a daily basis.  As true Christians, our hearts are good, but our flesh is poison.  We can never allow ourselves to believe that we can fight the devil alone.   (more…)

Journal

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Deborah Jacobs

Author: September 29, 2014

deborahjacobsphotoThis interview is a very special one for me. It was an honor to interview one of my mentors. I have met a lot of good Christians during my journey. All of them have been very encouraging to me. I have known Deborah for over a year now. We met at the Kennebec County Jail in Augusta. As with all people I encounter, I was very skeptical of her at first. She did not recognize me at first and I did not tell her why I was in jail. It had been a year since I had turned myself in. So, many people in Augusta did not realize who I was. Eventually, Deborah and I built a great rapport and forged a real friendship. The more I got to know her, the more I realized what an amazing person she truly is. The Lord is truly working through her. You can see his hand in everything she does and yet she is so humble. She and some other volunteers have helped me to realize that there are truly good and wonderful people in this world. I cannot stress how important it is to an inmate (or any sinner for that matter) to see that there are truly good and kind people who love them because God loves them.

(more…)

Interviews

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Faith-Based Works

Author: September 25, 2014

James 2:14-26  What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them,file000536039901 “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (NKJV)

These, my brothers and sisters, are powerfully real verses.  They are a wake-up call to all Christians.  When I think about how much my Lord has done for me, I can’t help but want to serve Him in any way I can.  We cannot go to heaven because of our works.  That is a fact.   (more…)

Journal

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To Live Is Christ

Author: September 19, 2014

Luke 17:6  So the Lord said, fc9769257a075a22e39c701ce2cdd068“If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. (NKJV)

What a strong and powerful statement!  I often reflect on Jesus’ words.  I, myself, being but a man, have trouble grasping such a statement.  No matter how much faith I muster, if will never measure up to the Lord’s.  Sometimes as Christians we forget that we are human beings.  We make mistakes because our souls are currently encased in flesh.  As a man, I admit sometimes it is hard to deal with the struggles of this world.   (more…)

Journal

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Learning From Mistakes

Author: September 15, 2014

goderasesmistakesDear Readers:
Last week was a test of faith in the midst of adversity.  My mother, sister and two daughters came to visit.  I had not seen my mother or sister for two and a half years.  I planned their visit two and a half weeks in advance.  I spoke to the administration and I was assured that I would be granted a two-hour contact visit.  However, the day before the scheduled visit, I was told it would be a non-contact visit (behind glass) and I would not be allowed to hug and kiss my family.  For a brief regretful moment, I lost my composure and acted out of character.  You must understand that I love my family dearly.  In fact, the only thing in existence that I love more than my family is my Lord.  I spoke to my mom on the phone.  I was very upset, but she calmed me down and told me to pray on it.   (more…)

Journal

A Soldier Of Light

Author: September 12, 2014

P1460184Acts 16:30-31  And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”  So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (NKJV)

As Christians, it is our duty to be a light to those who live in darkness.  We are called to be witnesses; to testify about our Lord and His salvation.  It is an honor to be chosen to do so.  How precious is a child to it’s father?  We can’t even imagine what one soul is worth to our Father in Heaven.  There is no way to measure His love for us. When we are given a chance to help save one of the lost ones, we must rise to the occasion and do what we have been called to do.   (more…)

Journal

A Young Man Seeks God

Author: September 11, 2014

Dear Readers:
One of the most wonderful things that I have ever experienced happened recently.  I was on the rec yard speaking with another inmate when a young man approached and joined our conversation.  The other inmate I was speaking with is also a believer.  We were discussing God and talking about prayer.  All of a sudden, the young man spoke up.  He said, “I would like to get to know God.  I have a bible but I don’t know where to begin.”  Immediately I felt butterflies in my stomach.  I knew the Lord had chosen me to be a witness to the young man.  I said, “The gospel of John is the best place to start, brother.”  I told him about some of the things the Lord has done for me. (more…)

Interviews