Trusting By Faith

He started whining as soon as I emerged into the male side waiting area of the jail’s Infirmary that night. His huge, thick glasses was familiar to me. His wooden cane sitting right next to him on the floor. He was impatiently mumbling as he had been sitting on a cold, green mattress, his legs partially covered with the jail’s tan blanket. There was an emesis basin on his far left. Except no one was seeing any vomiting since he arrived, complaining of chest pain.

“No one was paying attention to me, nurse,” he complained as he saw me arrived, perhaps, recognizing me as a previous treating nurse when he had his blood pressure way high. Trying to evoke sympathy and hoping I would be the one to treat him as I arrived, he kept complaining.

I kept walking past these waiting bodies, including him, as the deputy popped open the heavy security doors and started watching me as I approached the Clinic.

That male inmate became famous to the nursing staff for his hypertension that couldn’t be controlled. He was often brought to the county’s ER to be treated for chest pain. He learned he could get Dilaudid [a potent narcotic] this way. Everyone was cheering when he was transferred to a state prison. For some reason, he was back. The moment he first complained, there was none from the staff who couldn’t recognize him. He was barely there and his medical chart kept growing and the number of trips to the hospital, piling. The jail doctor knew, there had to be a way to find out if his complaints were valid or not. He sent him for an angiogram of his heart [x-ray]. The result was negative. Ever since, he gave an order: to consult the on-call physicians at times that there was no doctor available in the jail. Because of the result of his angiogram, the ambulance trips were often denied.

Staff had grown tired of him. He knew how to play his game well. Except this time, he was not winning to get the Dilaudid that he wanted. He couldn’t do anything. Except to wait on that mattress however long the staff wanted to treat him. Some yelling at him for not listening, including the deputy. He knew he needed to stop fussing about how he was being abused by not giving the treatment he needed. Or he would get in trouble instead. He never learned to trust the staff because he wanted things done his way...In a matter of few hours,  his whining turned into silence as his body surrendered to sleepiness.

There are times that things don’t go my way, too. It’s not fun since I have this achiness that won’t go away on my shoulders. It feels like reliving the endless pain I had after suffering from a neck injury. I can go on whining if I want to but it doesn’t accomplish anything. I can keep praying for God to heal me but it’s not my timetable when things happen. Perfect timing is always His. I want a quick fix. I don’t want any pain anymore. But learning from my previous injury, I know it’s best for me to just keep trusting in Him. To keep rejoicing despite this trial. To continue serving Him and using even this setback to glorify Him. I know that’s the BEST CHOICE. To continue to worship Him. To Praise Him. To thank Him. Knowing He has my best interest and He is in control. And I know in my heart that He is not ignoring me nor He is tired of my occasional complaints. He wants me to learn to trust in Him and let Him lead the way. If God gave His one and only Son to save me [us], what else could he not possibly give to anyone of us? I know that everything from Him comes with His love. He is love.

[I went to my doctor the other day. My arthritis panel came back negative. We are waiting for the xray result. He gave me something for pain that would not hurt my stomach. It seemed to help a bit. Friends, thank you for your encouragement and prayers always. I’m just resting more lately and not using the computer as much. Just know that you are all in my prayers…].

“The Lord your God is going before you. He will fight for you, just as you saw him do in Egypt. And you saw how the Lord your God cared for you again and again here in the wilderness. Just as a father cares for his child. Now he has brought you to this place. But even after all he did, you refused to trust the Lord your God, who goes before you looking for the best places to camp, guiding you by a pillar of fire at night and a pillar of cloud by day.” - Deuteronomy 1:30-33


“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.” - Proverbs 3:5,6

There is no one like the Lord Who loves you and I unconditionally. When things don't go right, how do we treat Him? How much are we trusting in Him? And only in Him? "May our roots go down so deep into God's love so we can understand things His way. See things His way." One day, we will all see Him...His face...

Opposites

They say they work hard…but all night long, they are just in front of the computer, surfing the web, shopping, playing games.

They say they have compassion…but they yell profanities to those inmates seeking medical treatment.

They say they labor and endlessly work…but sometimes, they fall asleep on their chairs when supervisors are not around or spend long breaks.

They say they wish the best for others…but their gossiping reflects what flows from the hearts.

They say they love others…but are always hungry to hear about rumors and want to hear that bad things are happening.

They say they are fair…but they are biased with their decisions and treatment with others.

This is what goes on at my work. I wish and pray that they will come to know the “contradiction in the Bible”:

Foolish Inmate Workers

Having tasted being locked up, you would think that inmates would strive harder to reform their lives. To make things better. Some try. Like those ones dressed up in blue uniforms, making it known that they are part of the working crew.

Photo Credit

They are scattered inside the prisons. Some working in a particular unit to help clean up whatever mess, run errands for the custody staff and in their attempt to do the right thing, might even help break out a fight amongst themselves.

Some are kitchen workers. Working early at night until late in the morning. They have rotating shifts. Some serve in the staff’s dining hall. Making specified meals that staff orders. Setting out the food in those food warmers after laboring and doing lots of chopping and cooking. Making sandwiches, burritos, anything.

I used to eat there. But working at Intake then, didn’t give me enough time to enjoy my food. By the time my order was being brought to where I sat, Intake was already calling me that some arrestees had arrived. It was hard to take even a few bites. There was no more taste and no more appeal to my interrupted appetite.

Co-workers often wondered why I always brought my lunch now. I would go quietly to a room and close all doors and would eat stuff from home. Then rest my neck. And just talk to God in that silence.

I must warn you, before you keep reading my post, that stuff that I am about to say might gross you out. Not my intention. But I want to give you the clear picture of what truly happens inside those prison walls.

One night, I heard the charge nurse talking about two particular workers in kitchen, who got caught rubbing the lettuce on their bodies. Then, they chopped them up and served them. Another time, a co-worker yelled “Eeewwww!”, I ran and peeked when she was seeing an inmate worker, thinking something had happened and I was ready to call for help with the radio on my hand. She discovered that that particular inmate had scattered abscesses all over his body. It happens sometime. But it was sickening for her to realize on her own that it was the same inmate worker who served her sandwich that particular night. Sometimes, they would mix their body fluids with oatmeal or other food that might disguise their horrible ways.

That’s another reason why I chose to bring my own lunch!!!

We have tasted how it’s like to be imprisoned, too. Adultery. Illegal substances abuse. Pornography. Murder. And many other sins. But must we fall back again to those things that imprisoned us when we have already tasted God’s goodness and forgiveness through Christ? Of course, we’re humans, that’s what we always say as an excuse.

“Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?” - Galatians 3:3

May we all learn to stop acting like PRISONERS now! God has loved us all without any strings attached! There is nothing that we can do to make Him love us more! He loves us all. Unconditionally.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.” - Galatians 2:20


On another note, my shoulder’s pain started easing up yesterday. I just want to thank you all for your prayers and sweet thoughts. I’m sorry if I’m not able to visit some of you at this time. Just trying to be restored and be strong at this time. God bless you all the more.

Letter From Christ

The road going up was winding, dark and sometimes, small creatures dashed across the dark road, unknowingly risking their lives to my moving vehicle. Fortunately, with my headlight on a high beam, I was able to avoid them. The usual time of 4:30 in the morning marked this usual trip on an unfamiliar road. On my passenger seat, a plastic tub sat where the inmates’ medications were housed in individual, small orange envelopes. Those meds were delivered to those many bodies who committed minor offenses. There was only 1 deputy. And in that particular housing, separated far from the rest of the rehabilitation center, roamed many inmates.

I parked my car under the soft glow of a little light at the back. I saw some inmate workers already roaming at the back, waiting for the delivery of their morning chow from the prison’s kitchen. All eyes glued to my arrival, watching my every moves. The deputy was not visible, busy inside, starting to wake up the still asleep inmates.

Those happened many years ago. As I thought about it now, I often wondered why I remained courageous doing that uneasy feat. Co-workers admired my courage, working alone in that facility for many years. Working in the dark of the night. Being in a remote location, nature has its way of surprising the staff with its wild ways. Coyotes abound. Snakes lurked somewhere in those dark holes, ready to attack if felt threatened. Squirrels came to try to sneak in a few crumbs they could find laying around the building where staff ate. There was also a sighting of a mountain lion once. Flashfloods came without warning on those rainy days.

But the reality of having inmates freely roaming around was the biggest threat that lurked. Knowing they were unpredictable with their behaviors, despite being rehabilitated. I intentionally set my car’s alarm every time I made that morning delivery. So that nobody could hide under the hood. I wasn’t afraid then. I wasn’t afraid now.

Looking back, I know, I have nothing to brag about. I had confidently worked in that fearful [to others] environment because my confidence came from knowing Jesus. My competence came from Him. I know that those inmates might have different opinions of me, some grateful for the meds I gave, some angry if their meds had not gone through our system yet and so was not delivered on a particular day. But with or without meds, I fairly treated them. To some in doubts, I explained how our medication system worked. Respecting them, no matter what attitude they showed me was what earned me their respect back in the end.

It was through my actions that I hoped they would see and be able to read Christ working in me. Because as believers of the new covenant, we are Christ’s letters.


“You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” - 2 Cor. 3:3

We have no credit for our transformations. Yes, we thrive. We remain strong. We are able to endure no matter what circumstances are going on around us. We set examples of what righteous living mean. It is not our work but of God’s spirit. When that seed is planted, we have this new power to live only for Him.

Reflecting now…yes, I was able to work in that dreadful environment. Because I have a God Who is able! And to Him be the glory forever and ever. In all ages to come!

Learning To Endure

She glanced at me…Trying to lock her eyes with mine. But I purposely shunned away. I might seem like a cold figure to her at that moment. I saw her got up, unknowingly being watched by my spying eyes. She was trying to see what was going on inside the Infirmary. Trying to hear what the conversations were among the staff. She knew, no soul was paying attention.

She had complained of chest pain every few hours. She was already brought to the county hospital’s ER but nothing was found. She just came back from the hospital and hardly an hour had passed while in her unit, she started complaining already of chest pain. She denied any mental health history. To the nurse, she demanded to be given something to ease her nausea. Except no one saw that she was even throwing up or acting nauseous.

The charge nurse deliberately gave her what we called “bench therapy.” Meaning we would let her stay in the waiting area of the female side all night until she grew tired of it. Except there was no sign of her getting weary. Instead, she must have enjoyed the precious moment of being alone rather than being confined in a tiny cell with another unknown soul. She looked like she enjoyed watching tv and remained nosy about what the night crew was up to during the shift.

12 midnight passed by. Then, it became 1, 2, and as the clock on the wall showed the hands at 3:00 a.m., that was when she became uncomfortable. She couldn’t endure the waiting anymore. All of a sudden. She admitted she knew that she had no cardiac problem and requested to be sent back to her unit.

A yellow pass was handed right back to her cold fingers. The heavy metal door slammed right behind her as the Infirmary Deputy let her out so she could go back to her tiny cell. She must have accepted her loss. Of letting go of any temporary and short-lived comfort and pleasures. But behind these prison walls, waiting is always a process the inmates need to endure.

She waited only a few hours in that small waiting area in the Infirmary. Only to go back to the cold cell where she must learn to endure to wait for a number of days, even months, or years, as a consequence of her wrong decisions.

But this is how life is! We don’t always enjoy the lap of luxury. Some of us might not even have any. We also face that decision to go after these worldly comforts or we can share with Christ’s suffering. Sometimes, we suffer for so long. And through those hard times and life’s pressures weighing down on each of us, we learn not only to endure. But also to trust. To hope for the future glory.


“However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived   what God has prepared for those who love him.” - 1 Corinthians 2:9

The Aroma Of Christ

Soooo thankful for all of your precious prayers, friendships, and encouragement for my pains and aches. God is so good [as usual!]. My pain started easing up yesterday, as soon as I read the first comment left by sister Lisa. I was able to go to work last night. Everything went smoothly. Despite the usual busyness, I knew, the Lord was with me, guiding me, strengthening me.

Thank you for all of your petitions that boldly arrived at His throne! My neck is achy but that’s the norm for me ever since I sustained that neck injury from the hospital back in 1997.

I always treasure your comments and sometimes, I go back and read them again and again when I need encouragement. It truly helps to know that I’m not alone in this journey.

Sister Mary’s comment got stuck in my mind:

“If I was there, I'd give you my mineral ice too and add to your new perfume tray. I love that stuff! But long distance, I hold you in my heart and pray God's healing over your aching neck and shoulder. It's a pleasure to stand in the gap for you, my friend. I'm believing for a pain free, quiet weekend and favor of God everywhere you step. We're close in thought and spirit.”

It reminded me of that broken alabaster jar [Mark 14:3], where the expensive perfume was poured on the Lord’s head. As if I could see the broken jar laying on the floor near Jesus’ feet, that’s how I feel. Broken. An aging process! But I can only hope that despite me being a broken vessel, I pray that I’m letting out the sweet aroma that is pleasing to the Lord. If I'm always just going to have pains and my joints will be rusty, I might as well just bring this broken vessel daily and surrender to His feet.

Oh, to have that distinct aroma pleasing to You Oh Lord. I want to remain broken and empty so that Your glory can shine through me, Oh Lord. When I’m broken You empower me. When I’m empty, You fill me up. Thank You Lord for Your mercy and love. Help me to do the right things and may everything I do or say glorify You, Lord. May the essence of my worship regard You with my utmost love and respect. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

How wonderful that must be if all of His children are walking around, emitting that distinct aroma that not only pleases the Lord, but draws others to Jesus, through those broken vessels!


“14But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 15For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? 17Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.” ~ 2 Cor.2:14-17 [NIV]

Hanging On To The End Of The Rope

Photo Credit

I feel that my body is not the same anymore. The numerous tasks I used to do in one day, now takes a lot of days, one thing at a time. I mowed the lawn last Wednesday and the back part of my upper rib [close to my shoulder] got achy. Thinking I just got tired from holding the edger, the achy sensation would just go away. But it still comes on and off. My husband knows I’m stubborn when it comes to doing this chore. I enjoy it despite the neck injury I had few years ago.

If this achy feeling on my neck and shoulders don’t go away, I might just have to see my doctor. Don’t you know that nurses are the “worst kind” of patients, diagnosing self and coming up with horrendous medical conditions? If arthritis is setting in, this wouldn’t be fun. I visited my friend last night and went home with medicated patches on my elbows and right shoulder, used for arthritic kind of pain or for sprains/strains. I was glad my hubby and child were sleeping when I got home or else they would have smelled my new perfume that had the aroma of “pain relieving cream.”

So, if you don’t mind me asking you, friends/spiritual warriors to pray for me and for the Lord to heal this ailment. Working nights for 20 years, I know it will take a toll sometime on me. But I always enjoy the night shift. I was just meant to be a night owl.

I’m just asking the Lord to give me more time to be able to raise up my child until he’s steady on his own. I know that in this life’s journey, sufferings seem to be more abundant. But we are not to be afraid. When God adopted us into His family, He gives us what He gave to Christ. “But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.” - Romans 8:17

If we are facing any trials, no matter how hopeless they may seem, feeling like we’re dangling at the end of the rope sometimes, let us remember that even if we are tired and feeling like we’re going to fall from hanging on or even feel like just letting go of the knot, we are not to lose hope. God promised to be there always and He will be there to catch us when we fall.

Suffering from sickness? Give it to God. From financial troubles? Hand it over to Him. Other worries? He’s waiting for you to give it to Him. Because all of them are already paid for by Jesus! Done! Over!

“But if we look forward to something we don’t have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently.” - Romans 8:25


“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don’t even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” - Romans 8:26-28

Active In God's Work

“But I need my inhaler now, Ma’am or else I wouldn’t be able to breathe,” complained a middle-aged male inmate in front of me. I had discovered that he was just given an inhaler only a few days ago and he was complaining that it was already out. I put my stethoscope over his lung fields. No wheezing. I checked his oxygen saturation:98% which was great! I knew he was using the inhaler to give him the “fix” that he needed. He liked the “high” that came from it that mimicked the drugs he used outside the prison.

I gave him 2 puffs. But he didn’t expect that I was going to take away the inhaler from him.

“I’m sorry, Sir. You’re not allowed to keep this at this time as you have been over-using the inhaler they gave you a few days ago. Nurses have to bring this to your unit. If you’re having trouble breathing, you can always alert your unit’s deputy so we can evaluate you every time.

He didn’t say anything. He accepted what was told. He thanked me for seeing him and giving him 2 puffs of the same inhaler for his asthma.

One minute later, the medical secretary advised me that one inmate wanted to come down to the Infirmary for complaints of asthma, too.

“Just send him down.”

“You’re too nice, Rcubes. I didn’t know, he’s here already. He’s that one waiting. He looks okay.”

“That’s okay. I’d rather see them in person and treat them depending on what I'll find out than to deny their requests without first seeing them,” I replied with a smile.

This other inmate was not having any shortness of breath. But I heard audible expiratory wheezes. He definitely could use one inhaler. So, I gave him one to keep. He didn't have any prior record of being given one. He was grateful to have it.

That's how it is at my work. You don't know what to expect. Some inmates are lying or faking their emergencies. Yet, some asymptomatic ones truly need help.

And that’s my prayer. That I will not miss that chance of being His instrument. That I will not be idle and fall asleep while working on duty. Under Him. I [We are] am serving an active God, so I must not lag in doing things for Him...[Glory be to You, Oh Lord!]




"Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." ~ John 6:27


"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." ~ Romans 12:11


"But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." ~ 2 Timothy 4:5

My Gala Apple Tree

“J!” I hollered to my husband as he was standing close to our apple tree in the sideyard. “Can you pick some?”

“They still need a little bit more time,” he answered.

“Aww…They’re sweet! I ate one this morning!” I replied with a little disappointment.

We had bought a few dwarf fruit trees few years ago, when we just moved in into this house we’re living in now. One of them was this gala apple tree. The first time it bore fruits, I was hooked. The fruits were sweet, every bite echoed a crispy, refreshing sound.

And in every bite came the bittersweet reality that took me back to the garden of Eden, when our great [thousands of “great”] Grandma Eve chose to disobey God by taking those risky bites from that fruit.


I must say I should be angry with Eve for doing that. Thanks to her, I had tasted what “pain” meant to give birth to a child. And my hubby working hard to make ends meet?

Now, who knows what kind of apple she ate and Adam ate. But what matters to me now is the truth that God truly loves humanity so much that He sent Jesus down here, the true Vine. And any fruit that clings to this Vine and remains on this Vine will truly live. What’s amazing with this Tree, is that even though I’m not a grape, He grafted me. And so if you are a peach, lemon, cherry, whatever fruit, you are invited to cling to this Vine. But don’t you brag about it!

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit— fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” - John 15:16

To be a part of this vine, it’s just impossible to be united with God and remain ignorant of Him. And especially, not to show or manifest His own attribute - which is love.

“4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”- John 15:4-5


Remaining is not simply to just believe in Jesus. It is to be in union with Him. To know more about Him and to know more about Jesus is to know more about the things of God, for Jesus is the complete representation of God. To remain in Him brings the deepest fulfillment and deepest joy in our lives. But to some, “obedience” means conforming to societal rules. But to Jesus, “obedience” means conforming to the Father Who is the Source of love. If there is no joy in us, then maybe we need to consider how much we know Jesus.

If you are that kind of fruit that continues to reject the invitation to be “grafted” into the Vine, it’s fortunate that God’s response is always to pursue you with love.

So, what kind of fruit are you? Producing on your own or are you willing to remain in the Vine? How great it must be to see every church becoming a beautiful garden in this world, instead of a lone retreat.

Before you take that bite from whatever fruit you’re eating, think about it….

The Last Day

She stood quietly in a far corner. Waiting for her turn to be called by me as I helped the LVN’s yesterday during accucheck hour. I knew her for every weekend that I helped out, she had been there, for how long I couldn’t recall. She used to be impatient, always whining like the rest of the female diabetics. Yesterday was no different. The usual bickering among them. The whining. Gossiping. Except there was something different with her this time. She was smiling. Quiet. Reserved. Her face glowing with happiness. I had not seen that before from this particular inmate.

“Cut it down, Ladies!” I yelled through the thick glass, partition window. I tried to only call 2 diabetics at a time. I never allowed anyone to try to distract me with complaints, knowing it could only take that precious second before anyone could try to hide the needles they were allowed to use to poke their fingers and the syringes to administer to those who need their morning doses of insulin. They could improvise and potentially make a weapon out of that small needle or sometimes, use them for tattooing. Silence. The deputy was pleased that these female inmates listened to me.

“Miss B.!” I yelled as she met my stare and quietly approached the window. Her smile lingered.

“Good morning, Ma’am…This is my last day and I just want to thank you for everything you did,” she uttered.

“You’re going home?” I asked.

“Yup! I’m being released today,” she responded.

“No wonder why you’re so happy. Take care of yourself out there. And try to make things better so you don’t come back here,” I added.

“Yes, Ma’am. Thank you.” she replied as she handed me back the cup that contained the used “poker” [needles].

Haven’t we been smiling, too? Since knowing that we have been freed by accepting Christ into our hearts? Knowing that despite the struggles we are all in in this big prison [world], we have this “hope” that is not short-lived but lasts eternal.

Oh, how I long sometimes to be with Him in His Kingdom. But I am still here in this world. For a purpose. You, too. But how traumatic it is to live here and not have that eternal hope. For those who don’t want to believe in His eternal promise of life, they are just stuck in this world’s system. Striving for popularity, pleasure, money, prestige or power.

Yes, with Christ, to die is better. We are being removed from all the troubles here. And to see Him face to face? Unfathomable! If we are feeling loved now and we know how much He values each of us, what more to be with Him? But if you are not ready to die, then, you are missing a lot of things here in this world. Things that have eternal weight. Things that are not eaten by moths. Things that do not rust. We don't need to wait until we die to have them. We can start now. Right here. In this corner. Now. You can start smiling if you allow yourself to know the freedom that Jesus offers.

Yes, For me, I’ll keep showing my smile, despite the ills of this world. We are all in this fight together. It is a privilege to trust in Christ but also it is, too in suffering for Him. I am smiling knowing that I’m free because of what Jesus had done for us. I’m not afraid to die anymore. And for now, I will ask for His guidance and wisdom to help me live the remaining days of my life devoting my time to reflect what His love and grace means to those who haven’t come to know Him.

"Have you accepted the Lord Jesus into your heart?"

Don't be a prisoner of this world. Be a prisoner of hope!



“For I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that causes me shame, but that I will always be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past, and that my life will always honor Christ, whether I live or die. For to me, living is for Christ, and dying is even better.” - Philippians 1:20-21

The Boss

I just want to give you an idea of what occurs in the prison, day in, day out. 24/7. Many arrestees come in, just so belligerent. They have no second thoughts about committing crimes, about hurting others, and breaking the law by using illegal substances outside. Yet, when they come in, they think that they can do whatever they want to do inside the prison, disregarding authorities.



"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." - Romans 13:2

Authorities are appointed by God. Christians are obliged to obey God by respecting government authority. Even if abuses have occurred, we are to respect the said authorities, out of respect for the Lord. But we must please no man but only God! He is our Ultimate Boss!

He Leads

So, I decided to call from home before going to work last night, to verify and make sure that I was still scheduled at Intake. Much to my surprise when they told me that I would be at the Clinic. It was a good thing I called or else, I would have gone straight to Intake.

The charge nurse greeted me as I walked in. She was supposed to leave early and that was why there was a change of schedule. She had me replace her as the charge nurse when she left. The night was chaotic even at the Clinic. But it became manageable. I had learned to continue to trust and give everything to the Lord. Unscheduled sick calls kept coming one after another. Doctor’s orders were piled up. But the other nurse and I just kept working, doing what we had to do. Every hospital return was seen. All unscheduled sick call’s issues were addressed. The orders were down to only a few charts.

I was surprised that the oxygen concentrator was not taken cared of for 2 inmates that were housed in a special medical unit. As soon as the charge nurse left, I made it a priority to check on those 2 inmates and had gathered the equipments I needed for their use. I found the long tubing that could be connected to the machine so they could walk around their cell without being deprived of the needed oxygen. Except there was no connector to the nasal cannula that they used to be able to breathe the oxygen. I always had a scissor in my pocket and working now for years, nurses just have to learn to improvise. That moment was nothing unusual. So, I tried to cut the end of the cannula’s tubing and it did fit right into the long tubing connector. [I was thanking the Lord!!! I knew that I didn’t need to worry about anything knowing He was in control].

Ever changing schedules….way like our plans in our lives. We don’t have that control. Plans do change. If we are not committing each of our plans with God, there is always that gnawing fear. Fear of unknown. Fear of “what if’s?” God truly doesn’t need much from us to accomplish His plan for our lives. It’s the opposite. We are the ones who need Him and definitely will not make it without Him. Any situations or plans that do not go the way we want them to go seem to paralyze us knowing we are limited with our capabilities. But with God, His power and might will help us see the way out. Through prayers, they help us focus on Him instead of the problems. After all, there is no problem or trial bigger than the mighty God we serve. So, glory be to God! And thank you for your prayers….

By the way, the Intake Nurse [which was supposed to be me] was overwhelmed and had to open many charts for those inmates who had medical or mental health issues. She was just so fatigued that she requested if she could be at the Clinic tonight. [Please pray for us working in the jail. Many inmates are now sicker than before].


“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” ~ Proverbs 16:9

“And now the Sovereign Lord and his Spirit have sent me this message: “The Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, says: I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you what is good and leads you along the paths you should follow.” - Isaiah 48:17

Oh no! It's August!

August is here!!! The month I dreaded a while back that I was just so grateful I posted about my fear because your visits and prayers meant a lot to me and had given me the boost I needed to continue to trust in Him and be reminded of His power and might that help us accomplish the tasks He assigned to each of us.

Tonight, I’ll be working at the prison’s Intake. A chaotic place to be in. A lot of unseen enemies torturing their unwary preys. Where asymptomatic bodies loaded with unknown illegal substances walk in, only to fall later, tremble, become confused, become combative.

If I may ask for your favor friends to pray for me as I choose to offer myself for Him to “send me…” I thank the Lord for giving us all these wonderful friendships in this blogosphere that even through prayers, we are able to help each other out. He already knows even before we ask. But what a beautiful ensemble to see many bent knees and folded hands, praying together in agreement. Feeling the Oneness, the unity that comes from His love. To God be the glory!

Lord, I won't be afraid as I go to work tonight in this specific area of the prison. Knowing I have You as My Shield, my all in all. You already know what is to transpire even before I walk in. I will rely on nothing but You. Because You have the control, no matter how chaotic this place is. I ask Lord for Your wisdom and discernment. For me to be able to see the unseen and screen those who will walk in without symptoms, yet, are loaded with so much amount of illegal substances. Guide me Lord and give me patience, to deal with combative arrestees and those officers who are rushing to have their arrested people be booked in, despite the screening process needed to be done by me. Lord, I ask for Your protection. I bind the evil spirits torturing the unwary people. Cover me with Your Holy Blood and surround the facility, in and out with Your mighty angels Oh Lord. Thank You Lord for all of Your provisions. Your love. Your grace. Your Power and Might.

Thank You Lord for the gift of friendship You have given us in this blogging world. I pray for all of my blogging friends. And in reality, I pray for my spiritual family. I ask that You bless them all Oh Lord. To give them the healing they need, both physically and spiritually. Lord, help us all to draw nearer to You. Thank You for Your forgiveness Lord. Please forgive me for all of my sins. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

The Famous One

Pens were down on the tables. The few remaining charts with doctor’s orders laid in the bin, waiting to be processed. As everyone’s ears were glued and fascinated by one of the nurse’s stories. Their eyes widely-opened. Sometimes, the mouths seemed to drop low on the ground. They were talking about ghosts. In the jail. And somewhere else.

You could just feel the adrenalin pumping, the heartbeats beating as if their hearts would come out of the chests. As one story after another evoked goose bumps, heightening fear, the reality of unseen entities…

I was fascinated, too. I had my own experience as well, as I was taking a break at 3:00 a.m. I closed one of the offices where I would normally eat my homemade sandwich really quick and then, tried to rest my neck to ease some of the soreness from a night’s heavy load. I heard some rustling of papers on top of one of the shelves. The fan was off. Whenever I looked, it stopped. Whenever I bent down my head, it felt as if something was teasing me and started playing with those piled up papers on top. I looked up. Nothing. I commanded in Jesus’ Name for “it” to leave and stop that. I bent my head down, feeling strength from Him, not fear. No more rustling of papers. I was able to finish my short break.

But I told them we were not to glorify anything about this evil work. There was no benefit from it but to simply instill more fear to everyone. [It was proven when one of them didn’t want to go to the bathroom despite the urgent need to go. Because of her fear, she wouldn’t dare to go to the hallway into the bathroom. Alone.]

That I’d rather talk about the Power in Jesus’ Name. Against all those evils. Going through my own spiritual battle, the Lord had indeed shown me the Power in His Word. Of how these unseen enemies cowered when I uttered His Precious Name…Jesus…[Proverbs 18:10 - “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.”]

I told them not to be afraid. And that, if they believed in those evil things, must we not believe much more in the One Who created everything?

For faith in God allows us to see the unseen. His Word tells us the truth in everything. And that is the only requirement for anyone who chooses to know Him. Faith. Through faith, one believes…”And faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…” - Hebrews 11:1.…Glory belongs only to the Lord! Maker of heaven and earth! He deserves it all. Our praises. Our thanks. He is after all, the most Famous One!!!



This is what Jesus said to the father of a boy possessed by a spirit: “If you can?” All things are possible to him who believes.” - Mark 9:23

And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea’; and it would obey you.” - Luke 17:6


“That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” ~ Romans 10:9


“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” - 1 Timothy 6:12