Daily Bible Portion (Tuesday)
Daily Bible Portion – 3 of 7
"HOLY ONES"
(Weekly Reading>>Leviticus 19:1-20:27, Ezekiel 20:2-20, Romans 13:8-10, Galatians 5:13-16)
I was looking forward to Adjudication so our side of the story could be heard. A dear friend had gifted us with a lawyer to help prepare and give us support. The legal fees for our defense came to $9,000. The week of Adjudication, by law, Bylaws has to reveal their files to us. It was only then that we understood what our neighbor had done and what was shared about us. This made us even more eager to share our testimony but that never happened. At Adjudication, the adjudicator read the municipal Bylaws report first and noted that they were in violation of the law by issuing false laws against us that did not exist. They were all made up. As a result the adjudicator threw the case out and cancelled all tickets issued against us. We were set free.
A few months later the mayor of our municipality chose not to run for a second term and resigned. The manager of Bylaws opted to take early retirement along with the other Bylaw officer who aided and abetted her, and a year later the manager of the municipality also retired.
Eyewitness Account – Friends
Michele was a very special friend of mine. Not only did she embrace and value true friendships; she cherished them.
Our friendship was one of distance. Michele lived at one end of the continent and I lived on the other side. We first met at a conference in Orlando in 1999. Wanting to be helpful, she volunteered at the tape table I was working at. She was a fast learner and rose to the challenge. I found Michele warm, with a wonderful sense of humor and a glint in her eye. That day we became fast friends.
We stayed in touch through the conferences. Over the course of time Michele moved up to the Pacific Northwest and lived a few hours from our house. On occasion she was able to visit. It was always a delight to have her on our home turf.
Then one day an event happened that challenged our friendship. A bad word was spoken against Michele and a reliable eyewitness pointed out that I was the source of it. It was a dark day in our friendship when Michele came to me with others to ask if this word had indeed come from me. This was as much a surprise to me as it was for her, as I was not the source of this word. At the time I was not at liberty to share. All I could say to her was that I was not the originator and to trust all this into the care of the Holy Spirit.
In the years that passed, and because of our strong relationship previously, Michele chose to put aside this libelous account. She never lost her respect for me nor did she and I loose the integrity we both shared in our relationship. As time passed we saw each other at conferences and enjoyed fellowship but ever since the query it left an unresolved reluctance in our friendship.
A few years ago Michele developed health challenges, which could not be overcome. I kept up with her through her Caring Bridge newsletters. As I prayed earnestly through this time I felt there was a clear leading to share what I knew about the situation. As I prayed God enabled me to reveal in a well manner where the source of this bad word originated. At the time of this incident I was protecting another person and could not reveal the truth of this source until now. I prayed as I sent this letter to Michele. This would have been our first contact in several years. How would she react? Would she accept my story? Was our integrity and friendship for each other still intact?
It did not take long for her to respond to my email. Even though Michele was in a great deal of pain by this time, she wrote me a beautiful letter back. With my information she was able to piece the rest of the story together. With the two sides now joined we were able to remove that unknown and see clearly the truth of what had happened. Both of us were blessed and both set free that day.
Here is Michele's response back to me,
Hi Julie,
"It is so good to hear from you my friend. I have always had a sense of our deep connection and a great love and respect for you.
I appreciate you sharing this painful episode from the past. It's very courageous of you to be so forthright in bringing it up at this point. I'm glad we can process it and put it aside.
When it first happened I was of course confused. I was not sure where the lies were coming from, but I knew you and your heart and your fruit. I came to a place of "cognitive dissonance" with it. I knew I could trust you, but there seemed to be "evidence" to the contrary. I decided to believe you anyway and trust that someday it would all be resolved."
Michele passed into Glory shortly after writing this letter. I strongly believe that what happened to us both was the reason why Michele requested I share at her memorial service. Over the years she had seen many incidences of division and broken relationships caused by the evil tongue. For her to ask our story of restoration be shared was key in the heart of Michele and the legacy she wished to leave behind. In life, Michele valued relationships. She was passionate about having them right and keeping short accounts. The integrity we both shared in Christ held the bond of time and our friendship continued to strengthen through it all, and will continue on into Eternity.
Eyewitness Account - Picking Cotton
A few years ago a young college student living in an apartment off campus named Jennifer Thompson was attacked and raped. While the perpetrator held a knife to her neck she reasoned that if she lived through this horrific ordeal she was going to give an incredible eyewitness account of this man so the police could find him easily. A few days later she positively identified her rapist in a police line up. He was sentenced to life in prison. After, she was determined to get on with her life. She married, had children and prayed everyday for her rapist's death.
Meanwhile, the man Jennifer accused, Ronald Cotton, continued to plead his innocence but officials had such a compelling eyewitness account that his weaker testimony did not carry. While working in the prison kitchen a new inmate arrived to work in the same area as Ronald. His looks strongly resembled Ronald's. Later Ronald heard through another inmate that this new inmate was indeed Jennifer Thompson's rapist and that he had also raped another woman that same night. Bringing this to his lawyer's attention opened Cotton's case but the hearing committed him to a second life sentence.
About the time of the O.J. Simpson trial, DNA was new evidence being admitted to court. It had not been used up until this time. Ronald suggested his new lawyer look into it. His DNA revealed his innocence and after eleven years in prison was pronounced a free man.
Jennifer did not take this news well. So sure was she of her eyewitness account that it took her a while to accept. Two years later, in order to deal with it and to stop the nightmares she asked if Ronald would meet with her at a church. She said how sorry she was and Ronald took her by the hand and forgave her by saying, "let's get on with our lives." That forgiveness freed Jennifer's heart. Today, Jennifer Thompson and Ronald Cotton have a deep friendship that has changed both their lives. They travel together on speaking engagements and their testimony has changed the way police conduct eyewitness procedures. Their amazing story is recorded in a New York bestseller called, Picking Cotton – Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption.
continues tomorrow...
"HOLY ONES"
(Weekly Reading>>Leviticus 19:1-20:27, Ezekiel 20:2-20, Romans 13:8-10, Galatians 5:13-16)
I was looking forward to Adjudication so our side of the story could be heard. A dear friend had gifted us with a lawyer to help prepare and give us support. The legal fees for our defense came to $9,000. The week of Adjudication, by law, Bylaws has to reveal their files to us. It was only then that we understood what our neighbor had done and what was shared about us. This made us even more eager to share our testimony but that never happened. At Adjudication, the adjudicator read the municipal Bylaws report first and noted that they were in violation of the law by issuing false laws against us that did not exist. They were all made up. As a result the adjudicator threw the case out and cancelled all tickets issued against us. We were set free.
Exodus 20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
A few months later the mayor of our municipality chose not to run for a second term and resigned. The manager of Bylaws opted to take early retirement along with the other Bylaw officer who aided and abetted her, and a year later the manager of the municipality also retired.
Eyewitness Account – Friends
Michele was a very special friend of mine. Not only did she embrace and value true friendships; she cherished them.
Our friendship was one of distance. Michele lived at one end of the continent and I lived on the other side. We first met at a conference in Orlando in 1999. Wanting to be helpful, she volunteered at the tape table I was working at. She was a fast learner and rose to the challenge. I found Michele warm, with a wonderful sense of humor and a glint in her eye. That day we became fast friends.
We stayed in touch through the conferences. Over the course of time Michele moved up to the Pacific Northwest and lived a few hours from our house. On occasion she was able to visit. It was always a delight to have her on our home turf.
Then one day an event happened that challenged our friendship. A bad word was spoken against Michele and a reliable eyewitness pointed out that I was the source of it. It was a dark day in our friendship when Michele came to me with others to ask if this word had indeed come from me. This was as much a surprise to me as it was for her, as I was not the source of this word. At the time I was not at liberty to share. All I could say to her was that I was not the originator and to trust all this into the care of the Holy Spirit.
In the years that passed, and because of our strong relationship previously, Michele chose to put aside this libelous account. She never lost her respect for me nor did she and I loose the integrity we both shared in our relationship. As time passed we saw each other at conferences and enjoyed fellowship but ever since the query it left an unresolved reluctance in our friendship.
A few years ago Michele developed health challenges, which could not be overcome. I kept up with her through her Caring Bridge newsletters. As I prayed earnestly through this time I felt there was a clear leading to share what I knew about the situation. As I prayed God enabled me to reveal in a well manner where the source of this bad word originated. At the time of this incident I was protecting another person and could not reveal the truth of this source until now. I prayed as I sent this letter to Michele. This would have been our first contact in several years. How would she react? Would she accept my story? Was our integrity and friendship for each other still intact?
It did not take long for her to respond to my email. Even though Michele was in a great deal of pain by this time, she wrote me a beautiful letter back. With my information she was able to piece the rest of the story together. With the two sides now joined we were able to remove that unknown and see clearly the truth of what had happened. Both of us were blessed and both set free that day.
Here is Michele's response back to me,
Hi Julie,
"It is so good to hear from you my friend. I have always had a sense of our deep connection and a great love and respect for you.
I appreciate you sharing this painful episode from the past. It's very courageous of you to be so forthright in bringing it up at this point. I'm glad we can process it and put it aside.
When it first happened I was of course confused. I was not sure where the lies were coming from, but I knew you and your heart and your fruit. I came to a place of "cognitive dissonance" with it. I knew I could trust you, but there seemed to be "evidence" to the contrary. I decided to believe you anyway and trust that someday it would all be resolved."
Michele passed into Glory shortly after writing this letter. I strongly believe that what happened to us both was the reason why Michele requested I share at her memorial service. Over the years she had seen many incidences of division and broken relationships caused by the evil tongue. For her to ask our story of restoration be shared was key in the heart of Michele and the legacy she wished to leave behind. In life, Michele valued relationships. She was passionate about having them right and keeping short accounts. The integrity we both shared in Christ held the bond of time and our friendship continued to strengthen through it all, and will continue on into Eternity.
Eyewitness Account - Picking Cotton
A few years ago a young college student living in an apartment off campus named Jennifer Thompson was attacked and raped. While the perpetrator held a knife to her neck she reasoned that if she lived through this horrific ordeal she was going to give an incredible eyewitness account of this man so the police could find him easily. A few days later she positively identified her rapist in a police line up. He was sentenced to life in prison. After, she was determined to get on with her life. She married, had children and prayed everyday for her rapist's death.
Meanwhile, the man Jennifer accused, Ronald Cotton, continued to plead his innocence but officials had such a compelling eyewitness account that his weaker testimony did not carry. While working in the prison kitchen a new inmate arrived to work in the same area as Ronald. His looks strongly resembled Ronald's. Later Ronald heard through another inmate that this new inmate was indeed Jennifer Thompson's rapist and that he had also raped another woman that same night. Bringing this to his lawyer's attention opened Cotton's case but the hearing committed him to a second life sentence.
About the time of the O.J. Simpson trial, DNA was new evidence being admitted to court. It had not been used up until this time. Ronald suggested his new lawyer look into it. His DNA revealed his innocence and after eleven years in prison was pronounced a free man.
Jennifer did not take this news well. So sure was she of her eyewitness account that it took her a while to accept. Two years later, in order to deal with it and to stop the nightmares she asked if Ronald would meet with her at a church. She said how sorry she was and Ronald took her by the hand and forgave her by saying, "let's get on with our lives." That forgiveness freed Jennifer's heart. Today, Jennifer Thompson and Ronald Cotton have a deep friendship that has changed both their lives. They travel together on speaking engagements and their testimony has changed the way police conduct eyewitness procedures. Their amazing story is recorded in a New York bestseller called, Picking Cotton – Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption.
Deuteronomy 17:6 At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
Deuteronomy 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
2 Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
2 Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
continues tomorrow...
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