Do you ever wonder what there is about you that could possibly be in God’s image? We usually see little in ourselves, or maybe even in people we know, that seems to be in His image. For sure, there are many things about us that could be much better.
     Yet – In the image of God has God made man (Gen. 9:6 NIV).
     We have one human characteristic that seems to get us in a lot of trouble. God gave us the freedom to decide what we will or will not do. Throughout history He has desired that men and women use their freedom by choosing to obey Him. Some have tried, but most of us have often chosen to do whatever we wanted to do.
     Why does God continue to give men and women this freedom to do what we often know is not good for us? Because He will not overrule His own laws. He made us in His image and as such we can do whatever we choose to do. We frequently suffer for the choices we make, but when we do choose to obey Him, He helps us to become more like His Son.
     As we choose to become more like Jesus, God’s blessings begin to work in us and we receive more of the strength that Jesus had! Then we are increasingly aware of how blessed we are to be made in God’s image. As His adopted children He gives us unlimited potential.
     The Old and New Testaments tell us of men and women who chose to serve God. They received strength and power to do many things we would like to do.
    Let us now look forward. What does God want to do in and through us? Jesus said we could do the things that He did! We can change this world and even affect eternity.

     When I first believed that God would help me to do something for Him, my next thought was, “Maybe I do have potential but I have no idea how I could do anything that would help even one person.” Gradually I realized that all I could do was to try. I was poor, had no one able to help me, and my lifelong experience told me that my best hope was to work in a steel factory, as did everyone else I knew.
     When I finished High School I listened to an inner voice that told me God had something He wanted me to do. A friend suggested a Christian college five hundred miles away. So with only $20 that I had earned during High School I hitchhiked to college. The school did not know I was coming and I knew no one there. My conviction was that I should do what I could do and leave the rest to God.
     Since then God has done a few things through me. It has been clear that He only asks us to do what we can. I promise you that when God sees that you are willing and determined to serve Him He will provide ways to help you.
     God will forgive all our past unwillingness to serve Him! He is willing to see us as pure and as holy as His Son!
     What a glorious future God has planned for us! For now we can learn to make choices that He will use to change our life on earth and even reward us in eternity! I’m so glad that I am part of the family of God. If you don’t have that certainty, God gives you the right to believe that He changes you – right now – as you try to follow the examples that Jesus gave us.

Even though Mary is taking a break from writing, from time to time she will have an article in the Praise News.

    We receive many prayer requests from folks who are depressed, anxious, fearful and plagued by negative and even destructive thoughts. They struggle with anger and sometimes suicidal thoughts.
    Most of us have some degree of trouble with our thoughts. One of the main reasons is that we have allowed our thoughts to wander freely, exercising no self control.
     Exercising control in any area of our lives takes discipline; and we seem to lack evidence of much discipline in today’s world. I admit to some lack of discipline in my own life and must constantly resist the desire to be very lazy. I really would like to just sit and read – all day, every day.
    Many years ago God began to teach me to control my thoughts as I learned to praise Him and thank Him for all the circumstances of my life. This was completely foreign to me. I had always allowed my thoughts and emotions to be controlled by whatever was going on around me.
     Is it easy to practice and learn to thank the Lord for painful circumstances? Absolutely not. I stumbled and failed more times – many more times

– than I succeeded. At first. But nothing really worthwhile comes easily. As I kept trying, I gradually came to realize that God loves us way more than we love ourselves. In His loving wisdom He knows just the right problems that we should have in this life. Why? Because His ultimate goal in each of our lives is for us to grow in realizing two things:
     One, that we cannot run our lives to suit ourselves. We always mess up. Always. Two, He wants us to learn to look to Him, listen to Him and finally to trust Him. Completely. When we thank and praise Him, we are saying: “I don’t like this problem, I don’t understand why You are letting this happen to me, but I trust Your loving wisdom. You are LORD, and I recognize Your right to run my life because You purchased me with the blood of Jesus”.
     As we faithfully keep trying to always give thanks (see Ephesians 5:20) we begin to realize how temporary the sufferings of this life are. Eternity awaits us – glorious, incredible joy – forever! This life is so temporary. We can grow in our spirits while we are here. God wants His very best for us, so let’s let Him have His way in us. Let’s bring Him glory by trusting Him and continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15).

I am a Catholic priest and I just read Prison to Praise. Tears were running down my cheeks as I read. I was profoundly touched by the miracles that God worked because you let Him use you.    Alejandro, E-mail

About ten years ago we met a couple on a cruise and gave them Prison to Praise to read during the long flight home. The husband read it on the plane, and received Jesus in his heart. Now his wife has also accepted Christ, as have their children. Praise God!     Tom & Judy, PA

I found Prison to Praise on the ground next to a newspaper box on my daily newspaper route. I was not having a very good morning and something inside me told me to pick it up. I have been blessed and encouraged by your book to praise God for everything, even the painful events in my life. God is transforming my life, day by day, Thank you for letting God use you to bless so many.  Andy, KY

Thank you very much for Prison to Praise. I have read it many times. It has strengthened my faith and given me so much comfort. I have given it to friends in their times of trouble also. Rosario, IL

I remember as if it were yesterday when a friend gave me Prison to Praise. I lived by the word in that book. It was so uplifting to know that I could actually praise God for and in everything! Thank you for sharing the precious insights, dealings, and blessings in your life. God never, ever lets us down.      Bernice, WI

Prison to Praise completely changed our lives – we give it to all new Christians and non-believers. What a blessing your ministry is to all of us.          Dick & Maralee, ID

One of my colleagues left Prison to Praise on my desk. I took it to read and found it very interesting. I am kindly requesting a copy of Power in Praise.   Susan, Papua New Guinea

My son gave me Prison to Praise. I really loved it. I was taught to praise God for everything but had gotten away from it. Thanks so much for refreshing my memories.   Faye, NC

I’ve read Prison to Praise many times and learn something new each time.     Loretta, MO

I have given away thousands of Prison to Praise since 1986. I run a cattle sale barn and the cowboys love to read it. I just put them out and those in need of Jesus take a book and are blessed by them.   Cheryl, TX

Another inmate gave me Prison to Praise and it has changed my life. I also passed it on to other inmates and a few of them gave their life to Jesus Christ. Thank you and Jesus for changing my life.        Michael, MA

While visiting a friend I found Prison to Praise. Because I was feeling depressed I began to read it and couldn’t put it down. I have found so much joy and peace within the pages of your testimony and those you served as a chaplain.     David, New Zealand

Thank you for Prison to Praise! I am dealing with cancer for the fifth time in six years and this is the first time I have felt God so close to me and holding me in His hand.     Mike, MA

I was overcome by many fears that would not go away no matter how hard I prayed. I just couldn’t shake the fear in the back of my mind. Friends gave me Prison to Praise and I made a leap of faith and began praising God. When under attack I would put my mind Jesus and praised Him for everything. The bad thoughts left me and God gave me my mind back. John, WI