Forgive, Don't Forget.

Last Tuesday, I had the opportunity to speak at BigStuf camp in Panama City, FL. Right before I took the stage, I was overwhelmed with the abundance of second chances God keeps giving me. If you asked most people who met me in college, or even lots who met me after, the idea of me being someone who would get on stage and talk about God would be impossible.

But that's what's so beautiful and powerful and grace- drenched about the concept of the second chance. Which is why when I bump into folks like Mike Foster, of the People of the Second Chance, I love to be a part of what they're doing. And today, I get to introduce you to someone new.

Prison Fellowship is doing something really amazing called "Forgive, Don't Forget."

Their heart is for prisoners, who they are dedicated to forgiving and not forgetting about. Turns out, there are more than 2.3 million men and women in prison in the U.S. And every year, more than 700,000 are released. Within three years, more than 50% of them will be back behind bars.

There are a number of ways they offer second chances to prisoners. But, one of them is so simple, I actually did it myself.

If you buy a "Forgive, Don't Forget" t-shirt for a $25 donation, they give a new dress shirt and a tie to a guy who is just getting out of prison. You get the shirt, and he gets something to wear to a job interview, which is often the first step back toward a second chance.

I bought one myself. A lot of ministry shirts I see make me want to buy the shirt, support the ministry and promptly put the shirt in a deep dark drawer never to be seen again. Not this one. I love this shirt. (See if you can guess which design I bought.)

The best part is that you get to leave a message for the prisoner who will receive the shirt and tie. Here's what I wrote:

God loves second chances. He sent Jesus to the world for people that need second chances. Not the perfect people, not the good people, the people who need second chances.

If you'd like to buy one too, visit forgivedontforget.org.

If you'd like learn a little more about the ministry, check out the video below.

Question for the day:

Has someone ever offered you a second chance?