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picture of my son's footprints during one of our vacations

I got done pulling the 1,000 something medications for the morning and noon doses, for all the inmates needing them that Sunday. The huge million-dollar worth machine just kept spewing them out. One by one, already wrapped in a special type of plastic wrapper, imprinted with the inmates’ names and the name and dosage of the medications. Feeling the pang of hunger after working non-stop, despite the quietness of the shift, I went on my break and savored the homemade sandwich I prepared, as I closed both doors of one room and turned off the light. I needed that solitude, to rejuvenate. To stretch and calm the achy muscles of my neck with a 13 year old injury from working in the hospital prior, that forever changed its function.

Freshened up, I went back to the Infirmary to find out that half of the lights were turned off. The quieter it appeared. Except the joyous laughter that erupted and broke the din of boredom. There, I found some co-workers, both from the medical and custody staff, enjoying each other. Sharing jokes, some, even flirting with each other. I felt out of place. I thought I could stay there. But I couldn’t enjoy it. I got up and went to our Pharmacy and stayed there until the tryst dissipated. I could not stand it that they all seemed working hard, only if the higher supervisor was present. And it was always sad to see that some of them were praised for working hard. When I knew it wasn’t true.

What happened thousands of years ago is no different than what is happening now. Many men started becoming Jesus’ disciples but they had a wrong perception that Jesus came as the promised Messiah Who would free them from Rome’s oppression. Sons of Zebedee, James and John, wanted honored places in it. But they didn’t realize, Jesus is not of this world. His Kingdom would be established not by conquering places nor building huge palaces. But instead, by changing the hearts and lives of men. They just didn’t get that. Until after Jesus resurrected.

“Teacher, we want you to do us a favor,” they asked Jesus.

“What is it?” Jesus asked.

“In your glorious Kingdom, we want to sit in places of honor next to you,” they said, “one at your right and the other at your left.”

But Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of sorrow I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?” [Mark 10:35-38].

Jesus didn’t mock their question. But He denied that request.

As darkness fell across the whole land when Jesus was crucified, there, as He was preparing to begin His Kingdom through His death, the places on his right and left were taken by two dying men - both criminals. One, who ended up believing in Him as Son of God.

Jesus is not after power-hungry followers. He explained that anyone who wants to truly follow Him must be prepared to suffer and die as He, Himself did. It is only by the way of the cross that we can get on the road to His Kingdom.

As His disciples today, we must deny ourselves, take His cross and follow Him. We must resist being on the limelight. God is the One Who helps us out with all the challenges we are to face. So, it is just right that He gets the full credit. Glory to God!

Matthew 10:38 - “If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.”



Lord, thank You for dying on the cross. Thank You for making a way for us, sinners, to reconnect with Father. Thank You that You never got out of this difficult trek You had to walk on when You were here. Thank You for suffering for us, a horrible way. But I know that you also suffered the ultimate suffering, when You took all of humanity's sins and You were spiritually separated from God. Lord, continue to mold me and change my heart, to conform to Yours. Thank You Lord for Your faithful and unconditional love. Thank You for gaining that victory on the cross and passing it on to those who believes in You. I love You Lord. All the glory belongs to You, Oh Lord. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

It Is Finished

[photo credit: iwitness2u.com]

They are there….with majority in waves of orange uniforms, some in green, and still, others who are more dangerous clad in red. Housed in different cells, different units. Imprisoned for the crimes they had committed: robbery, rape, murder, battery and other things. Even inside, they still try to rule. Some, hungry for power, intimidate the new comers and try to manipulate them to do things for their purpose. It is sickening. It seems never ending.

Only for me to step out of those prison walls, into a bigger prison. We are no different than those incarcerated inmates imprisoned with our sins. Some in deeper traps: bondages.

But 2,000 years ago, out of love, Jesus yelled before dying: “It is finished”….

Sin is a no-laughing matter. Sins should grieve our souls because of what Jesus did. Out of His love for us. This is the reason why Jesus came and became the ultimate sacrifice for humanity’s sins. He took all of our baggage. And put it on His own. He became the payment for the penalty we deserved. It is God’s plan, long ago. In order for us to be saved from going into hell.

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike your heel.” - Genesis 3:15...

It is finished…on Jesus’ part. He fulfilled His work, His mission to save humanity from sins. He never gave up. He never quit the race He was in. Instead of people being drawn to the prince of this world, people would be drawn to Jesus as Lord of their lives. Jesus took away the sins of the world. He made life available to the full. And upon His death, Jesus became the ladder between heaven and earth.

John 1:51 - “The truth is, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down upon the Son of Man.” [NIV]

It is finished…It was not a cry of defeat but of victory instead…And through Jesus’ victory, we became victorious as well.

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” -John 15:13

But it is not finished…on our part. We are all running a race in this life’s journey. Because of our faith in Jesus, we will also face many obstacles. We will experience different degrees of hardships. Will we be able to say “it is finished!” at the end? Will we be able to say what Paul said?:

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me - the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of His return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His glorious return.” - 2 Timothy 4:7-8

In this world full of many prisons, housing many hurting sinners who haven’t come to realize what Jesus did on the cross, we, believers, are running that race to share His cries of victory among those lost and still living defeated lives: “It is finished!”

Love is the essence of God’s law. Love was displayed on the cross. Love claimed victory. Now that the debt had been paid, we, followers of Christ, are under obligation not to fall into the same trap of sins and to share His love.

“8Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.” - Romans 13:8

The Life Giving Power of Blood

Two of us found the inmate downed on the floor yesterday. The inmates were about to eat breakfast, when this man all of a sudden fell forward. He must have gotten dizzy. He fell like a tree. His face was on the floor, the body slightly twisted, with his pale arms out. A pool of blood was visible where his head landed. Fear gripped both of us, nurses, thinking at first, that he had sustained a severe head injury. But he was alert and was answering appropriately.

“Don’t move!” I commanded as he tried to go back to a neutral position. The other nurse requested one of the deputies to hold his head firmly to prevent it from being moved around. It was difficult for us to apply the neck brace with the pool of blood sitting on the way. I found a deep gash under his chin and I knew, the blood came from that and that there was a possibility now that he must have loosened his teeth. I applied a dressing and we just called for the ambulance to send him out. And when they came, the man was put on a board and was taken immediately to the county’s ER.

The deputies who saw the amount of blood looked disgusted as they saw it. They knew this man was hurt awfully bad with that fall.

“I have never seen anything like that amount of blood in a while!” commented one. I wasn’t saying anything, as was with the other nurse. We were both just trying to comfort the downed inmate.

Blood…Same blood shed by Jesus…Yet, no one was disgusted at that time he was crucified. The same people screaming “Hosanna!” when Jesus entered Jerusalem were the same ones screaming “crucify him!” to Pilate, few days later. Even though he wasn’t found guilty of any crimes. He was flogged, spat on, his head crowned with prickly thorns and was crucified. Jesus, yes, Jesus, not a criminal….bled to death…



But people didn't know that it was blood…was God’s plan to become the atonement for humanity’s sins. It was through His own Son’s blood that His forgiveness became available. Jesus’ blood became the sacrifice and made forgiveness of sins possible. We know now that blood gives life! How many times do you hear about blood donation drives as many hospitals are having low supply of blood to those needing transfusions who have injuries where they lost some good amount. It is the same with our Lord Jesus Christ. Through His blood, we gain eternal life!

“11 for the life of any creature is in its blood. I have given you the blood so you can make atonement for your sins. It is the blood, representing life, that brings you atonement.” - Leviticus 17:11


“For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” - Matthew 26:28


“In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” - Ephesians 1:7


“But now in Christ Jesus you once were far off have been made near by the blood of Christ.” - Ephesians 2:13

Are you like those people and Pilate who never stood up for what was right? We are like Pilate when we know what is right but decide not to do it. Have you accepted Jesus into your heart and believe that He truly died on the cross to save you from your sins? Your right decision might have unpleasant consequences but I guarantee you, that life with Jesus, you will be forever changed! Being "saved" means you realize you're a sinner and that there is nothing you can do on your own to save yourself. It is only by God's grace, through Christ's blood and your faith that saves you. If you understand this, there is a prayer on my side bar you can pray and with the right condition of your heart, pray that out loud....Receive God's forgiveness today...Receive the life giving power of His blood!

A Woman of Strength

"Woman are never stronger than when they arm themselves with their weaknesses."

~ Madame Marie du Deffand

“Why won’t you give me some more sugar?” angrily demanded a huge female inmate one time I was checking the inmates’ blood sugar level.

She was talking about the packets of sweeteners we, medical staff, tried to give whenever we would do their Accuchecks. We usually had 2 packets ready for each inmate. But that morning, she was asking for more.

She made her question so loud, enough to make all the other women knew about her fearless demeanor. That she was that kind of woman: strong, tough, and was ready to show terror to any authority. Everybody started mumbling. I could have just called the Infirmary Deputy behind me. Easier than that. And she would have been in big trouble. The deputy glanced at me, waiting for my signal. But I motioned. For him to keep still on the male side as there were more male diabetics around that time.

“You don’t need to be angry!” I replied with a little higher tone than the usual. “If everyone gets 2 packets, it’s fair enough that everybody gets 2 packets. Do you understand?” I spoke with my voice piercing the thick, glass wall partition between us.

“God bless you!” she retorted back. To which I wasn’t thankful. The mumbling from others grew into a soft din, as if bees were buzzing.

“That‘s not very nice!” I yelled. “Because He is indeed good to you. He gave you those packets of sweeteners!” I replied back. The buzzing stopped. While she looked at me with a great surprise. Surprised that I knew what she meant. Surprised how quickly I understood her prison jargon, that she meant ill despite her nice-sounding words.

She grew quiet. Bowed her head low. The other women stopped mumbling. There was a deafening silence that ensued. I knew she felt that what I said was true. And I knew it penetrated her hard heart. Strong as she thought she was, there was no hard heart that would not be softened by God’s Word or truth.

Why, you may ask I got inappropriately upset this time when that woman just uttered “God bless you?” I always ask for the Lord’s discernment. Working in the prison now for 10 years, one inmate, many years ago, told me…that they say “God bless you” to staff when they couldn’t utter a profanity. Because they could be in big trouble for disrespecting the staff that way. So, just like that lady, she just cursed me and I sensed that at that time. I wouldn’t allow her to bully me. She might think she was a strong woman…

And to her, I looked like a tiny woman of weakness…But she didn’t know. I could be strong, too. But I would rather be a woman of strength than be a strong woman, like her. Strength that is not just given at birth. Strength, not just gained by terrifying others to gain power. Strength, arising from a big physique. No! I would rather be that woman of strength. Who had gone through the fires of trials in life. Who faced tribulations, over and over and beat me down. Trials that made me rely on the One Who was the true Source of strength. Yes, I would rather be that woman. With that strength that comes from knowing God.

For a woman of strength always realizes that it’s important to seek the Lord, not only on good times, but much more, during the hardest times of her life. Instead of falling away, she surrenders to His mercy, love, grace, power, wisdom, and strength.

And yes, I was a strong woman before but is now currently being molded to become what my heart desires: "to be a woman of strength".




“…the joy of the Lord is your strength.” ~ Nehemiah 8:10


“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” ~ Psalm 27:1

“Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually!” ~ Psalm 105:4

“…fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ~ Isaiah 41:10

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” ~ Ephesians 6:10

Please visit other encouraging posts at Spiritual Sundays, hosted by sisters Charlotte and Ginger. You can also join us, if you want to.