He Sustains

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Circumstances, Grace, Mercy, Restoration, Thankfulness

I have several friends facing health issues right now, ranging from serious to life threatening.  As I was praying this morning, the word “sustain” came to mind.  I decided to go do a word search on that word to see what I would find in God’s Word.

What I found was a tremendous blessing to me, and I pray it will be for my friends (and others) who are all facing difficult circumstances right now.

Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.  Psalm 55:22  

A New Year… A New Beginning by Christina M.

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Christina M., Jesus Christ, Letters from inmates, Salvation, Testimony, Thankfulness

“A New Year… A New Blessing”
By Christina M  01/2015

I woke up in this freezing cold prison cell, socks to my knees, and a rough wool blanket issued to me by the New Mexico Department of Corrections.  I can hear the sound of other female prisoners hollering crude obscenities to one another, cell doors being slammed shut, and a grumpy, round, pink skinned prison guard announcing that it’s time to “eat chow”.  There were no big, shiny balloons.  There weren’t any party whistles being blown.  I didn’t have a sparkling Happy new Year headband on my head.  There was no champagne.  No New Year’s kiss.  When I really think about all that glitz and glam… I can’t help but acknowledge how over rated all that show girl stuff truly is.  God knows I’ve had my fair share of wild festivities!

Thankfulness In Dark Places

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Gratitude, Jail Ministry Musings, Jesus Christ, Prayer, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving

I didn’t expect jail to be a place where thankfulness was commonplace.  You wouldn’t think women in that difficult environment, facing difficult circumstances, working through the guilt, shame and regret from bad decisions would have hearts that overflow with gratitude and thankfulness… but many of them do.  I have learned so much from them, and I am grateful for how they minister to my heart.

The Jail “Classroom”

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Jesus Christ, My Testimony, Spiritual growth, Thankfulness

Teaching God’s Word to women in jail has been one of the biggest challenges in my life, and one of the biggest blessings of my life.

Psalm 37:4 says “Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”  For a long time I misunderstood that verse to mean that God would give me things I desire.  That isn’t it at all.  He gives us THE DESIRES – He fills our heart with a desire to do what He has purposed us to do.  Much to my surprise, God has filled my heart with a burning desire to share His truth with women in jail.  That wasn’t something I ever sought.  God had to drag me to jail, and I’m so thankful He did.

I Didn’t Expect This…

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Honesty, Prayer, Prayer team, Repentance, Thankfulness

I never expected the prayer requests written by women in jail to knock the breath out of me, but they sometimes do.  I am ashamed to say that I never expected to be challenged and encouraged in my own faith by the prayer requests of the women in the Bible studies I teach, but that happens with great regularity.