Who Controls You?

You would think that inmates being locked up are following rules. Or that it is easier to track their activities. The truth is…despite being incarcerated and being under surveillance, they still manage to do the things they want to do. From smuggling contrabands to making their own alcohol, they are able to think of many ways to improvise what they need to carry out any illegal plans. They might appear to be out of control at times. Some might succeed but this is where a surprise “shakedown” comes in from custody staff. To maintain safety, not only for the custody staff but among inmates themselves.

[Please silence my playlist]:

　

　
As Christians, many of us claim that we have God on our side. But have we asked ourselves if we are on “God’s side?” How many of us are truly controlled by Jesus Christ? It’s easier said than done. For I, myself, need the constant confession of my own improvisations of things that do not glorify Him. I don’t know about you, but I’m glad that the Holy Spirit is quick to give me a “surprise shakedown”. Which catches me off-guard.

The secret of an abundant life is to allow Jesus Christ to control our lives. Through His Holy Spirit living within us. When you realize that you have sinned, confess them immediately and thank God for His forgiveness. But you must continue to walk in fellowship with God. As you pray, examine your hearts. Do you honestly want Jesus to control your life? If not, ask God to change your heart.

When the Holy Spirit catches you with a big surprise, list the areas of your life that you believe should be under His control. Ask God to show you the ways to bring these areas under His control.
　
1 Corinthians 2:11 - “For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” [NIV]

Galatians 5:16-24 - “16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.” [NIV]

Let God Take Control As We Worship

“No! I don’t use drugs nor alcohol. I’m having chest pain, I tell you!!!” an angry female inmate told my coworker who was trying to ask her questions and take her vital signs. She was wheeled on a guerney by their unit deputy, as she complained that she was too weak to even walk. Prior to coming down to the Infirmary, we looked at her records. She was arrested for forging documents to obtain narcotics.

“Listen!” with a higher tone and firmer voice, I spoke as I got in front of her. “You don’t need to talk to her like that. The reason why she was asking you all those, they were all important so we could figure out why you are feeling awful. When we find out the real cause, it’s easier for us to treat you. Why don‘t you let us do our jobs? Let us have control of this probing so we can get to the bottom of your discomfort…” She remained disrespectful to the other nurse. I grabbed her medical chart and continued to deal with her.

“But I told her! I was having chest pains since last night,” as she yelled again. I motioned for the deputy not to say anything and I would take care of it as it was more verbal disrespect she was showing at that time. He sensed my request and remained quiet while he stood nearby.

After asking many important questions, with her showing her on and off disgust with the way I was asking her about her medical and mental history, I ended with, “Do you have a history of being scared of tight spaces or even panic attacks?”

Pause…She looked at me and was about to yell in exasperation. But I looked at her eye to eye and determined for her not to yell at me. Softly, she answered, “Yes, Ma’am.”

“Okay! There you go! I want you to try to relax! You’re not dying, though I know it feels that way for you. Take a couple of deep breaths for me. Don’t you think that if I saw anything abnormal like with your blood pressure, I wouldn’t be wasting my time talking with you? See this? [as I pointed at the oxygen monitor]…Your oxygen in your blood is 99%. That’s a great number,” I explained. “But to make sure that there is nothing going on in your heart, I will do an EKG anyway, okay?”

“Thank you, Ma’am,” as a more mellowed demeanor was displayed now by her. On the exam table, she appeared more calm. Her 2 EKG readings both returned with normal results. I showed it to her. I told her I would still refer her to our mental health services so she could be treated for her panic attacks. She stopped whining, got up and stated that she felt better then.

We get emotional, too. But if not saturated with His truths, we get so panicky and just won’t let Him take control of our lives. Paul said in Romans 12:1,2 - “I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable, or well pleasing and perfect.”

Presenting our bodies mean we have to give all of ourselves to God. Our hearts, minds, thoughts, attitudes…Let us give up control of these and offer it to God. Let Him be the One to control. How? By the renewing of our minds. A daily cleansing from His Word will remove all those worldly wisdom and be replaced by His true wisdom. Where the mind goes, the will and emotions follow.

True worship is not just about the things we do in church and open praise. It is the acknowledgement of God and all His power and glory in everything that we do. The highest form is obedience to Him and His Word. We must know Him and not remain ignorant.

From Sister Denise

1/9/10

Thank You
Thank You seems so inadequate, our hearts are overflowing here at the Oldham's. We are so beyond grateful for the precious heart blessings we are receiving from the blogging community. Your prayers, cards, financial gifts, phone calls, concern, precious friendship, and love, are more than appreciated. Each night, your names are lifted up high toward heaven, we are thanking God for all of you. You will never know how very, very much you all mean to us. Thanks for cheering my lovebug on towards his healing. We remain diligent in our preparing for his miracle, and God still rules. Be blessed my friends, you are all dearly loved and appreciated.
at Saturday, January 09, 2010

http://shortybearsplace.blogspot.com/

To learn more about sister Denise and DH, please read the post down below. God bless.

Can You Help A Brother And Sister In Christ?

This is from sister Marsha's post: Marsha's Musings...





As you all know, Shortybear's (Denise) Lovebug (Eddie) has some serious health issues that started on December 23rd. Check her blog if you need more info, and also my post here.

Denise will fill you in on Eddie and her love for him and the Lord. If you haven't read her post from today, it's beautiful! What she won't tell you is about their great financial need right now. That's where I come in. She and Eddie have given me permission to share their need with you.

Denise has been there for all of us, the pray and encourage. Now we are blessed to be able to help them during this extremely difficult time.

Here's what's going on right now:

Because of her own health issues, Denise is unable to work or drive. She has never collected disability because Eddie's income was always more than the maximum allowed by Social Security.
Right now they have no income. Eddie is on short term disability until January 14, then he will be re-evaluated.That's only approximately $230. The doctors have already said he would not be able to go back to his previous job because they say he will not regain filling in his legs and left arm. So, more than likely they will declare him permanently disabled.
Eddie can not drive a car in his present condition. So, his mother takes them to all of his physical therapy appointments, which are 5 days a week. Each appointment has a $25 co-pay - that's $125 a week.
Eddie desires to work, but he will need to finish his physical rehab and then go on to vocational rehab.
They have no money! They were able to pay their rent and utilities for the month, but they have nothing else left. They have a car payment of $343.75 due January 14th, after that, they will be late.
Here's the plan to help them financially:

Some have already sent me money and I've forwarded it on to them this week (a total of $200). Thank you so much!
Denise Walden (Samaritan Women) and I will be hosting a blog that will contain a PayPal Donate Now button. When we have the bank account and paypal account open next week sometime, we will be able to say under all of our buttons, "To Donate Now click here" and it will take everyone right to the page.
In the meantime, they need money NOW! If you can send a gift of any amount, contact me and I will give you their mailing address so you can send a financial gift of any size and/or card. Even $10 will make a difference.
Think of creative ways to promote this on your blog. I'm asking our blog community to sustain them for several months until they get on their feet with various sources of income.
Remember, they need:

Car payment for this month
Rent for February
Utilities for February
Phone for this month
Food
Medication
$125 a week (minimum) for co-pay for Physical Therapy and doctor visits.
I will be going to see them next week. I'm 3 hours away. During that time, I'll help her with whatever she needs, take her to Department of Human Services to see what kinds of assistance are out there to help them right now (if she hasn't been there by then).

If any of you all live within an hour or two of Chattanooga, TN and can give her a hand, please let her know. When this happened, they were in the process of looking for a new church, so there's not the local support there for them like they need.

How to pray:

Complete healing for Eddie. He's suffering from a cord compression.
Denise's health. She's so focused on him, I'm afraid she's not taking proper care of herself.
Emotional well being. They are pretty discouraged.
Wisdom for the doctors
Peace and acceptance of His will for their lives.
"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." James 5:13-15