In these last days, mankind is experiencing one of the greatest crime waves in history, especially in our schools and cities. The Scriptures say, "...in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money.

"They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.

"They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5, NLT)!

Our prisons overflow with men and women with the traits described in these verses. Our streets are full of people heading for prison who commit crimes that stem from deep-spiritual problems.

Several years ago, I was asked to write a chapter in Larry King's new book "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt." The following thoughts are my observations and suggestions for an improved penal system.

I'm Not Complaining

I was originally sentenced to death for my crimes and it was a sentence I deserved. I believe it was the grace and mercy of God which delivered me from it and in an eternal sense, from much more. I write not to complain about my own circumstances or experience with the parole or corrections departments. I'd just like to see the system work in a more meaningful way. It seems most people have lost hope that prisoners can really change. Could this be because their own hearts need to change before they can perceive life with a confident expectation of good?

Can you envision the Body of Christ coming together behind prison walls in love for the purpose of winning the lost all around the world?

Below, you will find lessons, study charts and a building meeting plan for sharing the love of God with men and women in prison:

In the late '70s, the Lord gave me the Connect Two brochure, but not until now have I felt led to put it out with your help. I pray the Lord will touch your heart to be involved today!

This brochure is a tool to help bring Christian prisoners of the same gender together with a member of the Body of Christ on the outside. You can be a big part of this outreach.

One of the most neglected areas of ministry in the Body of Christ and one of greatest needs is to bring Christians together regardless of walls, fences and bars.

We believe that if Christians on the outside were to catch the vision for prisoner outreach, God’s love and grace would not only change individual lives, but our society at large.

A new revival is on the horizon for those who awake to this area of unrealized need in their lives. I ask that you pray for God to make this desire real to you.

A large percentage of inmates in prison have no income. There are few paying jobs in prison. The State provides for the most basic needs, but not all. For instance, California supplies soap and tooth powder, but not toothpaste, shampoo and deodorant.

Inmates are allowed to purchase from a list of products at their canteen, but at least half of the inmates never go. Your sponsorship would allow him/her to live a more productive life.

Some inmates help the less fortunate with their needs. In some cases, you'd be supporting an inmate missionary behind prison walls. All I ask is that you pray and hear from the Lord what He'd have you to do. You may be led to start by writing a prisoner.

The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer! The Holy Bible is my code of conduct! Faith, prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare! I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity and tested by fire!

I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity! I will either retire in this army at the rapture or die in this Army; but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out.

I am faithful, reliable, capable and dependable! If my God needs me, I am there! If He needs me in Sunday school, to teach children, work with youth, help adults or just sit and learn, He can use me, because I am there!

I am a soldier! I am not a baby! I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up, or pepped up!

I am a soldier! I am not a wimp! I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His kingdom! No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy or give me handouts! I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to!

It was late and I was tired, wanting to go to sleep, but God wanted to talk. It was about midnight, but it dawned on me that God does not sleep. His question made me restless: "Where on earth does man keep his most priceless treasures and valuables?"

I said: "Lord, usually these treasures like gold, silver, diamonds and precious jewels are locked up somewhere out of sight with usually guards and security to keep them under lock and key." God spoke: "Like man, My most valuable treasures on earth are also locked up."

The foundation of the recovery process is his or her relationship with our loving heavenly father, as personalized in Jesus Christ.

A central theme and belief of this work is that healing is possible through faith in God’s grace. To some degree or another, everyone can experience freedom from the damaging effects of a less-than-nurturing environment. As our wounds heal, we become functional members of the Body of Christ.

Working the Twelve-Steps helps us reclaim our birthright as children of a compassionate God. We were created in His image and have gifts. These steps are intended to awaken us to God’s grace and give us an opportunity to experience peaceful and productive living. Feelings of unworthiness, anxiety and inferiority diminish and are replaced by spiritual strengths and virtues. Focusing on our new relationship with God transforms our obsessive need for other people’s approval. Our attention is, instead, captivated by the promise of new life in Christ.

Peace With God

STEP 1. We admitted we were powerless over the effect of our separation from God--that our lives had become unmanageable.

"I know nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out" (Romans 7:18).

Karla Faye Tucker

On June 13, 1983, Karla and her boyfriend, Daniel Garrett, broke into a Houston apartment and murdered the two occupants with a pick ax. At her brief trial, Karla admitted her guilt outright and told the jury that no punishment was severe enough for her crime. But while Karla requested a life sentence, the jury recommended the death sentence, after a mere 70 minutes of deliberation.

On February 3, 1998, Karla was executed by lethal injection in Huntsville, Texas, the first woman executed in Texas since the Civil War. She asked for clemency, and a number of human-rights and conservative Christian groups rallied behind her, but their cry fell on deaf ears. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles denied her request for clemency (16-2 vote), and Governor Bush refused to grant a reprieve. Karla is now in the wonderful presence of the Lord.