Jail is not the most pleasant place to be but then I learned that I could have a one-on-one visit from the Chaplain's office-Wow! Oh, how I looked forward to that day to speak to one of the women assisting Chaplain Pete. I thanked God for bringing Sister Sherry into my life. Just the short time we are able to spend together has truly helped me get through each day. Thank you Sherry for all your spiritual encouragement and devotion. Without the Lord, my wonderful family, dearest friends, and you Sherry it would be very difficult. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me...And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:13 and 19). In Him - Amen!
Jesus, someone said he saw You on a dark and dirty street.
Said that You were gently washing an alcoholic's feet. Someone saw You in a nursing home with those who need Your care, caressing trembling, wrinkled hands, brushing tangled snow-white hair. You found the frightened runaway who bristled at Your touch, You didn't offer her advice, instead You shared Your lunch. You crouched inside a doorway next to a homeless man. You wrapped him in a blanket, spoon-fed him from a can. Someone said he saw You in a prison with a man who killed his wife. You bowed Your head with him in prayer; You spoke to him of life. Someone said he saw You, and I believe it's true. What he saw was Your Church at work, doing just what You would do.
Thank You, Jesus
The best part about my testimony is I didn't even see it coming. Don't get me wrong, since October 2009 I have learned a great deal about myself, my search for personal revival, and my growing relationship with God. I had no idea about the ride I was about to take when Brother Neil took us through the chapter on "Clearing Your Conscience." Neil said that it had produced dramatic results for some men who really took clearing their conscience with God seriously. I had no idea the work or the reward that was in store. I realized from the beginning that I had to be ALL IN or NOTHING because God would know. This kind of thing can't be done halfheartedly. From the start, it takes love with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind. Trust me I've been seeking the Lord. One of the "rewards" I've experienced and am thanking and praising Him for is helping me to finally dig deep, to have the courage to write my ex-wife and two sons to ask for their forgiveness. I have not been the father I should have been in their lives. I was too busy finding excuses, hiding from guilt, and feeling sorry for myself. I always seemed to find a reason to get off the hook and later regretting but never doing anything about it. As I got more involved in really wanting to clear my conscience (God's way), I got the courage to write that letter that had taken so long to write. Thank you my heavenly Father and thank you Brother Neil. I hope that if anyone can relate to my story that you will have God-given courage to clear your conscience too. Give it all of your heart, soul, strength, and mind, letting Christ work in and through you. Your reward will come and your conscience will be clear. I pray for your success and hope your rewards are as great as mine.
I saw a homeless man - beggin' on the street... A ragged shirt he wore - and no shoes upon his feet... I thought I'd give him a couple bucks - and be on my way... But something in his eyes - made me want to stay... I got out of my car - walked over to have a chat... I asked, "What happened sir? How'd you end up where you're at?" ... I asked, "How'd you sink so low?" ... He said, "I didn't have far to go"... The old man did not look mean - he had the kindest eyes I'd ever seen... He said, "Worldly things - I have few... But I have Jesus' love - I hope you do too... You don't have to be rich - or drive a car... If you have Jesus - He's never very far... I once had money - and a home... But I was - so all alone... I had a credit card, good job - I had a lot... I gave it all up - and walked out... I now serve Jesus - He sees to my every need... Hey, even you stopped by - and did a very good deed...
What we need in this life - can't be bought or sold... Living for Jesus - is worth more than all your gold... I used to live - the American dream... I wasn't happy with - what I had seen... I'm happy now - living my way... Talking to my Lord - each and every day"... As I got to my feet - I felt blessed to meet... the bum on the street... P.S. You never know when you will meet one of God's angels. I did...
I'm going to tell you a story about a girl who was raised in a not so functional home. I won't go into the details as many of you know about pain, anger, guilt, resentment, shame, and feelings of never being worthy. It builds up in ones heart, soul, and spirit-three suicide attempts, literally died twice and had to be resuscitated. But deep in my heart, I knew at an early age God wasn't ready for me to die. He has a purpose for each one of us. Later driving to the store on a rainy foggy morn, I was side swiped by a truck, went off the road, and hit a telephone pole. My aunt who is an RN was on her way to work and saw my car. I was slumped over the steering wheel when my aunt came to my car and asked, "Are you drunk?" Then she saw me-the right side of my skull, eye, and face had been pulled off. They said I would be blind. It would take many operations to put me back together but I was still alive-again I say for a purpose. After I finally had enough physical and emotional hurt I went to church and turned my life over to Jesus. I saw that God has always been a big part of my life. In 2005, I had a routine mammogram for breast cancer with nothing found. However, strange as it may sound, when I would pick up my little dog and hold her to my chest she would start barking and carrying on. In my heart, I felt that the dog was suddenly telling me something was wrong. Two months later, I went to my doctor and he found a large stage four cancer tumor in my breast. A little later, my little dog Ragsy died peacefully of a tumor in her stomach. God used her to save my life. Because my cancer was so advanced, I had surgery for the removal of my breasts. Two days after my surgery my husband died. He had been very ill for five years and I had been taking care of him. But I moved forward doing the best I could. The doctors gave me two months to live but I said, "Only God knows when He'll call me home." They used three different kinds of chemotherapy on me plus radiation treatments. It was horrible-radiation burns, baldness. Such things I've gone through the past six years. I felt less than a woman - direction, no hope. But God has been doing a lot of work in me, pruning me of branches not bearing fruit. Then last August God literally brought me to my knees here as an alcoholic at LCJ. Jail sure wasn't the place I wanted to be but God has the right plan. It is not easy but I look around and there is always someone worse off. I'm a miracle and so are all of you. We are all here for a higher purpose. What might yours be? Your Father in heaven will reveal it. Take the time to listen to His Son, Spirit, and Word with your heart and soul.
Begin with Praise and Thanksgiving and then continue. Father, I ask You, in the Name of Jesus, to send Your mighty warring angels right now to hold back the forces of Satan while I and my loved ones sleep. Satan, you and any of your evil that could be in or around me or those I love (say their names), I bind you and drive you out in the Name of Jesus. I command you, in the Name of Jesus, to go back where you came from. I cover my mind, thoughts, memories, and desires-my conscious, unconscious, and subconscious-with the power of the Blood of Jesus, the washing of Your Word, and presence of Your Holy Spirit. I bind up evil spirits and thoughts of terror, fear, nightmares, and torment with the power of the Blood of Jesus. Speak Your Peace upon us all Lord Jesus. Lord Jesus, protect those I love (say their names) and those who minister to them and me in your Holy Name. I cover them where we rest tonight-above, below, and on all sides-with the Blood of Jesus. I also cover those loved ones who may be traveling and ask for their protection. Give us supernatural good rest, speak to our souls, and let us awaken refreshed. In Jesus' Name. I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God. Incline Your ear unto me, and hear my prayer. Show Your marvelous loving kindness, by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You from those who rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings (Psalm 17:6-8). I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Thanks to those who shared what Jesus Christ is doing in their life. Why not send your testimony to Chaplain Pete for the next issue-keep it to 200-250 words. Share Full Pardon with those on the outside: www.trinityfree.com/fullpardon on the Internet.
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