“That must be wonderful I have no idea what it means”

-Moltere

                 “And if the Bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, How will the soldiers know they are being called to battle?”               -1 Corinthians 14:8 NLT

     Many people are skeptical when they hear of prisoners, who claim to have found the Lord while behind bars, but when one stops to think about it, what better place to find him than amongst sinners? Where else would one expect to find him than among these who need him the most? In fact, Jesus Christ himself said, “healthy people don’t need a doctor, sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” This is from Luke 5:31 1-32.

    That said please, set your skepticism aside for a moment and believe me when I tell you that I see many men who use their time here to do just that; seek out the Lord, accept Jesus Christ as their Savior, and repent. I see them struggle on many levels, and it is one of those levels that is the subject o f Today’s plea for assistance.

    A great part of the struggle lies in comprehension. I notice many of those who struggle with meaning are using the King James Version, which is a very popular version and one of the most readily available free to inmates. According to USA Today, 67% of American families, own at least one bible and 50% of those own a King James Version. Unfortunately, unless you are schooled in old English, understanding the KJV is a challenge for many people of average education levels (myself included).

    To aid me in my own quest, my brother-in-law, Larry, sent me a “New Living Translation” (NLT) bible as well as “The One Year Bible” (NLT Version), when I first arrived here and I cherish both books. They have opened my mind and heart and have guided me, comforted me, and protected me throughout my incarceration. The New Living Translation is written in clear, contemporary English translated from the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts.

    Even so, I had other questions so I asked Larry for a study bible. He settled on the NLT “Life Application Study Bible.”

    As it happens, there are a couple of versions of that particular study bible, one being what is causes “personal size”, which was the least expensive, which is what I chose. When it arrived, I found the content to be exactly what I was looking for, but the font in the “personal size” was intended for younger eyes. It was a challenge even with my reading glasses, so Larry ordered the regular version. Which left me with the smaller one to pass along. There was a fellow inmate who had asked scripture questions before, so I gave it to him and he shared it with others.

     The next time Larry ordered me a book from Amazon, I also received, by accident, another personal size study bible. As returns are way too complicated in prison, I gave that one to the same inmate and asked if he thought other people might be interested in a copy. He said, “definitely”, so I told him I would see what I could do.

      What brings us here: Anyone reading this has $20 or $30 and would like to make a positive impact on someone, please send me either a full or personal size copy of the New Living Translation Life Application Study bible.

   If I receive just one, I have helped to make a difference. Any more than that would be extremely appreciated. They can be sent to:  (this is the Amazon.com approved address)

Anthony E Casson

91153-004 Allen-1

Federal Correctional Institution, Box 5000

Oakdale, LA 71463

    Should anyone send one, please drop me a line, or get me your name, so I may write a “A gift from ____” In the book.

    If I have been overly verbose in arriving at this point I apologize, but that is me (smile).

   I thank you all for reading the Chronicles and may God bless you all.

    “And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.”                                                       -Hebrews 6:3 NLT