Which Mountain?

Then Jesus told them, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don't doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, 'May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will happen. - Matthew 21:21 (NLT)

“Woohh…Someone hurry and give me a hand!” my voice echoing within the 4 corners of the tiny, waiting room on the female side of the Clinic. Three female inmates who just arrived for specific appointments with other medical staff stared at me and the downed inmate resting on the mattress the other nurse had provided. The resting inmate had a seizure prior in her unit to which one nurse responded and decided to keep her in our Infirmary so we could closely observe her and her seizures.

The shaking was so violent that I could feel the length of my arms and my legs getting numb and tired as they were also being shook as I tried to hold her head down, keep her on her side and make her body avoid hitting any part of the wall near her. The nurse who initially cared for her appeared and by the head dropped there and started holding her head for me.

The seizure must have lasted for approximately 3 minutes and it felt forever for everyone witnessing it. The inmate had gone in and out of consciousness but was able to respond as it stopped. Barely starting to assess her, another episode came. Her head jerking back and forth as I struggled so hard to keep it down and the other nurse switched position with me.

“Grab the emergency bag! The oxygen tank! Someone call for an ambulance!” both of us yelled to our other co-workers eager to help us with whatever they could.

As I called the ER doctor for an order of a medication to help calm her down, other nurses started the IV to which the medication was given immediately.

“She’s on her way soon,” I advised the doctor, whose name I only knew because of the many times I had called and consulted for urgent situations that needed his help.

The female inmate kept apologizing for her seizures. She got aware of the effort to save her but was embarrassed that she had even wet her prison-issued pants.

“Just rest. The ambulance is here,” we all reassured her and told her it would be okay. Knowing how limited our strength was to care for her, that was truly an unsure answer on our part. We said that because we all desired for her to stop having seizures and be well.

In the pages of history (Matthew 17:14-20), there was also a man, tired and desperate to find help for his son having seizures. Jesus’ disciples who were given power to heal were not able to heal his son from having seizures that caused the boy to fall into the fire or into the water. He suffered terribly. He approached Jesus when He and his disciples arrived at the foot of the mountain and asked for His mercy to heal his son.

Jesus said, "You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me." (Matthew 17:17). Jesus rebuked the demon in the boy and it left him. In that instant, the boy was healed.

When the disciples asked Jesus in private how come they were not able to heal the boy, Jesus replied that it was because they didn’t have enough faith.

Jesus came to heal. It must be frustrating for Him to see the unbelieving people. But what difference was it when even his own believing disciples might not have an increase amount of faith when they perform what God has given them to do?

I wasn't implying that the inmate had a demon in her but I felt so weak at that time after helping that inmate who had a seizure. I knew afterward, I relied on my own strength and forgot to call for His help. How could I when for all these years I had been working in the prison, I knew I was able to survive critical decision-making not by my own strength but because of faith and having trust in God’s power to intervene for me.

He never failed to be there for me. It is I who failed to trust in His power at that moment. I let the mountain of problem distract me and had my eyes focused on it, instead of focusing on the King of the Holy Mountain, Zion. It was me who let that obstacle hinder the flow of my faith. Forgive me Oh Lord and please increase my faith all the more!I know...I might not witness the way Jesus did His miraculous healing then but I believe...Jesus still heals today...as long as we approach Him with faith and trust. At the foot of the Mountain of the Living God, He is always ready to accept those who are willing to surrender all their worries and let His healing replace those.

A Different Kind Of Hearing

Then he added, "Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given--and you will receive even more. - Mark 4:24 (NLT)

“Did you hear me, Ma’am?” her haggard face looking intently, awaiting for my response and actions to her demands. The thick, glass partition window separated us as I finalized her request to be evaluated by the Nursing staff.

“Of course, I heard you loud and clear. But it was disappointing to hear that you made your health concern an emergency when it’s not. You know that what you want from me could have waited until the regular sick call in your unit,” I responded as I met her stare with my piercing one.

“Why did you tell your unit that you were having chest pain then you came here complaining of minor ailments?” I probed.

She looked away as if she couldn’t stand my stare anymore, becoming uncomfortable yet, continuing to make excuses.

“That’s not what I told them,” she replied quickly, still looking at different corners of the Infirmary. Her glances showing that she was trying to come up with an excuse so she wouldn’t get in trouble.

“Here’s your yellow pass. You know the rules here. If it happens again, I can put you on discipline for faking your emergency.”

She finally rested her head, looking down, as she extended her right hand to accept the yellow pass she needed in order for her to be able to return to her unit. I popped the door open to make way for her to leave. I knew she was upset for not being able to get some medications she wanted. Medications that she did not really need because there was no true ailments. Medications I wouldn’t give because she was arrested for abusing illegal substances in the first place.

When God placed me in the Correctional setting to care for others, He surely gave me a different set of ears. While the inmates think that I ignore their demands and not seem to care and hear them, they are very wrong. I hear louder than my own set of ears. For circumstances in this place require more than hearing through the ears. I learn so much hearing through my mind and heart instead.

Then he said, "Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand."
- Mark 4:9 (NLT)

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death. - Revelation 2:11 (NIV)

and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." - Luke 4:21 (NIV)

The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can't explain how people are born of the Spirit. - John 3:8 (NLT)

Christian Men

Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find? - Colossians 3:19 (NIV)


Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. 
- 1 Peter 3:7 (NIV)

And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every hearrt and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.
- 1 Chronicles 28:9 (NIV)

I summoned this young, pregnant inmate. Her stomach still not visible, prime at its stage, she sat down and complained how the pain in her abdomen seemed to have gotten worse, a day after she was jailed.

"Keep going..." I suggested.

"Well, Ma'am, my husband punched me so hard here (her right hand touched the lower, right area of her abdomen). We had a big fight..."

I sent her to the hospital despite the lack of bleeding. I wanted to make sure that the fetus was not harmed inside her womb. I wanted to think that it was a sad situation where the husband, under influence of an illegal substance, did not have the right at all to land his fist on her stomach. But he wasn't in the right mind, perhaps, to know the consequence a hard blow would have done not only to his spouse, but most of all, their baby.

Many hours later, she returned with the Transportation Deputy. The paperwork I got from ER cleared her of any danger and potential damage. What a relief it was to know she and the baby were okay!

Many couples go through shaky relationships. From different situations. It is one of the toughest battles families go through. How to be intact and save their marriages from falling apart. But what's sadder to me, are those who say they are Christian men. Their words are far from their actions. Their behaviors do not reflect what God's Word teaches. What a big loss for Christian men to have the light in them wane. What a disaster to go back to their old ways despite tasting the joy of knowing the Light that guides them in the darkness they were once in.


Men of God-message from a child from amickcutler on GodTube.

Following The Footsteps

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. – Luke 9:23 (NIV)

I took a sip from a freshly-brewed cup of coffee my husband handed out to me from the counter as he ordered for our breakfast in a favorite place as I reserved the booth for the three of us. My son was right behind him, holding a smoldering cup of water for his tea.

Few minutes later, two servers approached us with huge plates of the “combos” we wanted to try.

“Country Fried Steak!” she uttered loudly as she was holding two plates and discovered one was for my husband, the other for our son…

“Like father, like son,” I quickly replied as she lowered the plates in front of them and gave me a big smile.

Like father…Like son…It was not only about those same orders in my mind. It went beyond those years since giving birth to our son and my husband had been a great father for him and up to now. He, a father who was firm with his decision to show his child the right road in finding true success and meaning in his still budding life. The road that was narrow and where the steps in his journey would not always be easy and comfortable. The road where his child must also prepare to suffer. He knew way ahead as he took that road before him. And he knew, that his child was always watching his footsteps and would always trace his footsteps.

“Always do the right thing, no matter what your friends or other people will say,” he often would remind his son whenever he would have a heart-to-heart talk with him.

I took a bite from my medium-well steak, followed by a mouthful of hash browns.

“Hmmm…Good,” I uttered and offered to my husband and son if they wanted to taste.

“No!” they both replied, same answers as expected, contented with the big serving they had to finish.

I stole a glance at my husband and at my son and I saw the big resemblance. Not only with their physical appearances but much more with their godly character. And my steak tasted more delicious as I pondered on one thought. I was grateful for God Who gave me a great husband and a father to my son who has been walking in his father’s footsteps. Footprints Jesus etched on the streets that led to Golgotha and up to the stairway to His kingdom. It was not an easy feat to walk on that pathway. The pathway that was shown only  to those hearts willing to follow Him in the first place.

Grateful because what was coming from my family’s hearts, His hands shaped and created. Hearts that avoid those things that give grounds to spiritual enemies. Hearts that are not surprised when troubles come but instead, would always know the importance of increasing their faith all the more and knowing that the only choice would always be to become more dependent of His mercy, grace, guidance, and love. Hearts that would always be aware to shun fears amidst adversities, knowing His hands would always tend, provide and care for His beloved.

Grateful because He is truly an awesome Father from up above!

Thank You Father for loving us unconditionally. Happy Father’s Day dear husband of mine and to all of you, fathers out there! Remember who’s watching your footsteps!

If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. – Matthew 10:38 (NLT)