Bring It On!

In the dusty dawn, while traveling back from a deep and peaceful sleep, my Lord Jesus showed himself swooping down into the fenced yard with His army of warring angles in tow. He had come to do battle for the hearts and minds of those still entrapped by Satan’s lying tongue.

Stand by for a late breaking report from behind enemy lines! Sandy a/k/a “Grammy” Sandy here coming to you an embedded reporter for the VICJPM Network (Victories in Christ Juvenile Prison Ministries) positioned on the front line of the continuing battle between the seed of serpent and the seed of the woman.

The day was perfect, complete, and orderly, as the glory of Lord Jesus inhabited his people at Medlock Juvenile prison.

When the people of God willingly follow, the Glory of the Lord is ushered in. Rich led the singers who announced the procession of the Lord. His clear voice evidenced his warrior’s heart while strumming a string of songs to announce King Jesus. The battle was heating up and Satan was on notice this day would not be business as usual.

Jerry brandished the sword of the Spirit and the battle was on for the hearts and minds of Ninety-Six young men seated on the field of conquest. Courageously slashing and jabbing with the truth of the living God Jerry challenged all to consider Christ.

While the Saints, positioned strategically on the sidelines, lifted this man of God high Jesus and his army ministered among the rows. Jerry tells them Jesus came for all of mankind and that he loved them enough to die a bloody death so they could be assured their eternity would be spent in the presence of almighty God. Just as he came all those many years ago he comes for them now. Christ’s gift is free to man, he paid the price, now it is their choice to invite him in and make him Lord of their lives. For the sake of eternity Jesus is the great multi-tasker. He wields the sword of truth to cut the evil back behind enemy lines. Then as the wounded lay bleeding and broken in a heap of despair he kneels gently on blood soaked ground of broken promises to minister the assurance of healing grace.

Many of the young men responded to the Great Physician’s touch while reciting words of confession they interned into a new life with a raptured heart. Praises be lifted high to the throne room of God!

With passion and great conviction Jerry fed the word and some swallowed it as pure honey, sweet to the pallet. Others only wetted their lips with saccharin sweetness insured to linger for days to come.

One of several faithful mentor-scouts reports has a David and Jonathan team residing in dorm Three. Young men focused on the heart of Jesus as they witness to others in their dorm while strategically planning to minister to their families upon release. God continues to rise up an army for the gospel; the good new that Jesus is Lord and liberty comes by grace through repentance.

All participants in a theatre of war understand sure success of any military operation depends on prior preparation; the advance of the kingdom of King Jesus takes no exception to that rule. It has been reported many Saints spent much time in preparation for this battle. All labored in prayer crying out to God for the souls of these young men. There was a special detachment that baked cookies for that special touch which showed Christ’s desire only for the best for his children. A gallant warrior prepared hot dogs for all on his mobile smoker grill. The gentle and quite spirit of the handmaids of Christ served like those revered in Proverbs. It takes the God given resources and talents of the entire body of the church house to fight the battle, tend to the wounded and feed the troops.

As sure as God promises to waste not He is true to his word. Three Godly warriors bared their souls for the cause of Christ. Each had similar stories of past crimes against man and God landing them behind concrete blocks and steel doors. With tender hearts they courageously shared how God knew them in their sin and cared enough to come down off his throne to where they were to pierce them with Godly truth. Today they are called by God to minister to those in bondage, held captive by selfish desire.

The precious time with these dear ones seemed to be at an end before it began. While they filed out by rows the volunteers organized into groups and prepared for visits within each of the eight dorm rooms. There are twelve residents to a dorm. All of the volunteers are willing. I see some are nervous. Many have not experienced the slam of cold steel doors locking tight behind them. They are willing. Some fear they have nothing to share, but they go anyway. They are obedient to the Lord, trusting him.

Breaking new! It looks like the volunteers are returning from the dorm rooms. Let’s listening in:

“Can you believe how many great question they had about the Bible? They are really seeking answers to tough questions.”

“The guys in our dorm were so thankful that we took our time to visit with them, when can we go back?”

“I asked one kid about his family, he said no one comes to visit him. My heart is breaking.”

“So many of the kids want Bibles many more than we thought needed Bibles.”

“One boy who is fifteen and looks barely twelve asked for a Bible. He said, I would really like one with those gold pages. I just really like that kind.”

“Did you see how honestly troubled the one kid was because he has tried to stop cursing, prayed to stop, did stop for a day and then the very next day he was back to cursing? We need more time with him to explain repentance, grace and redemption”

“When will be able to adopt an other dorm?”

The day started with confirmation that the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, King Jesus would rage a battle snatching his precious image bearers from the arthritic claws of the evil one while rendering him and his demons useless. From this reporters vantage point it was evident the God of the Universe stooped down and used gentle Christians with their willing hearts and humble obedient spirits to work his healing touch and bind up the broken hearted. A stronghold was breached but; only through continued prayer and one on one care do the walls remain strong and the enemy held back.

This is Sandy a/k/a “Grammy” Sandy an embedded reporter for the VICJPM Network (Victories in Christ Juvenile Prison Ministries) signing off for now from the front lines of the continuing battle between the seed of serpent and the seed of the woman. As evidenced today: Always remembering to press on in the strong name of Jesus Christ and never underestimate the life giving power of God.

Medlock Ministry at Yahoo Groups

“If Christ is not in the heart it is natural to be cruel." And I might add, "to be
deceived".

Satan is the master of deception as he whispers to the vulnerable
and isolated. Young men, bolted behind walls of concert and
steel, which have been in prison long before arriving at Medlock Juvenile
Treatment Center; as much as most of us, before embracing God's gift of
through our Savior Christ Jesus. From the prayer requests, of
these young men it is revealed, many are products of a fatherless America,
raised by Moms and Grammys. Some have raised
their selves and as teenagers ask for prayer for their own
children.

My heart breaks for their lost childhoods and broken
dreams. Some are quite while trying to figure out why a group of
white people would care so much for them, men of color. Others are
talkative wanting to vacuum up the attention they crave. Both groups
know there is something different about all of the volunteers,
wanting to trust us. So we go sharing personal stories of our lives,
before Christ and after our surrender.

Allowing our lives to rub up against each other may bring friction but;
the chance to know and to be known by another is worth the risk.
Some have taken the risk and experienced the love of Christ from us to them.
They have truly been changed and we have received blessings beyond measure.

My prayer for our boys is that they would know the love of Christ.
That they would know the Sprit's love is the rolling surf that
ceaselessly smoothes the sands of anger and hatred, which is lying
along the beaches of our wrecked relationships. We as volunteers
walk along the shoreline of their lives pointing the way to the
Lighthouse Keeper assuring them God is the faithful one who will
never forget his children. And if they will trust God he will never
abandon them and always keep his promises. Each visit with "our
boys" (they call me Grammy Sandy) shows the Holy Spirit piercing
their fog of confusion about who God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit is
in their young lives

The hour and one-half we are with these young men is never enough
for me, I do not want to leave when it is time. Today, I figured out
why I do not want to leave, it is the ministering of the Holy
Spirit, who is no respecter of the strong holds of evil, moving from
the hearts of all of the volunteers, open and yielding, to our boys
ripe for a miracle. Pray with us that these little ones become
changed, that they would trust "The Father" and know he calls them
to his throne of grace. Also, that we are yielded vessels willing
to be poured out for God's glory.

Thank you all who pray for this ministry of Christ's and share in
your resources, we really do feel blessed by your faithfulness to
God.

Keep pressing on in the name of Jesus.

Note: Should you wish to hear more of my adventure with God through Juvenile Prison Ministry please access MedlockMinistry at Yahoo Groups, link listed under my favorite blogs.

Positioned on the Wall for Families

Curiosity becomes concern, which leads to a calling, a calling to join Christ in his ministry. His ministry of intersession for the very things He is concerned for--his people and restoration of relationship. Christ does not look at the clock and consider our comfort or loss of sleep he leads us into prayer with his blessing. He calls us to beckon him to restore the walls of Jerusalem as he storms the gates with his position, power and mighty sword of truth.

Remember, don't ask yourself what the world needs ask your self what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive. The place God calls you is the place where your deep gladness, passion and worlds deep hunger meet. Never give up anything Christ has called you to join him in, even when it feels like it is too much. If he has called you to it he will fight the battle for you to stay in it--never run from the roar of the battle instead run to the roar with your face low to the ground and your eyes fixed on Jesus. I praise God for hearts of those willing to stand tall in the battlefield and survey the carnage trusting Christ to bring up the rear guard and show families the path through to liberating victory and his peace in the promised lands of restoration. God is being faithful once again to work in the yielded family. Great blessings coming out of trying circumstances because of hearts changed which allows God's Holy Spirit to change thinking, which ushers in victorious living.

Often I have marveled at how God continues to place me in the lives of family units, yet not allowing me to marry again. I struggled against that placement and did not understand his assignment for a long time. As he brought me from understand to understanding he has revealed to me his special blessing and my great passion. So I stand on the crumbing walls of "family and church" looking for decay and reporting in prayer a breach of structure to the great mason and stonecutter. My pay is a great fortune! My past mistakes are redeemed through discernment and Godly wisdom. I do belong to all families through Christ as he calls me to be a vessel of prayer with feet to take his temple to the battleground I am just one of the troops on the ground. God, I pray you keep me ever humble to take my marching orders from you alone. Amen.

Heaven's Song

My great news and answer too many hours of prayer is that my little Justin has begun to catch God's vision. He wants to know more about how to be Christ minded. VBS is a wonderful tool of God in hearts of the so young and pliable, reinforcing what Mommies, Daddies and Grammies teach every day. VBS ended Fri., Sat. morning around 1:00 am Justin and I were driving home from the Roughrider ball game when he started singing all of the praise songs learned at VBS. For only being six and one-half he has quite a big voice, so passionate. After singing the same song several time he told me he did not remember all of the words. I told him that was ok we can always make up our own words to praise songs and that was the same as praying. For the next half hour we sang sweet songs to God making up our own words and melody. It was a night I will never forget. Especially how Justin's voice would change from a loud, strong battle cry, stating God is the Rock, God is the Rock, to a soft whispering voice passionately thanking God and Jesus for Mommy, Daddy, Ali and little baby Trinity. As we headed to Grammy's house, South on the empty toll way, it occurred to me God had blessed us with a road uncluttered with distraction where our spirits soared praising God. The singing slowed to a whisper, then deep contented breathing and the hum of the engine signaled church had concluded. I could never have imagined my little Nissan Sentra would become a sanctuary aglow with the presents of God or that a Six and One-Half year old would have invited him in. Truly the sanctuary of God is in his temple, his people the church.

The Tomato Stand

A hotter than usual Texas Summer drains the energy of Mommy and Daddy. Their family has grown from one little boy filled to over flowing with energy and some impulsivity issues, a little imp of a two year old girl all smiles and bouncing curls and newest darling baby girl, eyes as big as demitasse saucers, all in need of attention and usually at the same time. Well, this Grammy knows the look of sleep-deprived parents, when she sees one, or two. There is that blank stare early on a Saturday morning that says there is too much to do today, to many places to be and not enough hands to get the jobs done. Justin, the Six year old is not going to enjoy Sister’s friend’s Two-year-old birthday party and surely a meltdown is on the horizon when he must pass up the cake due to food allergies.

To give everyone a change of pace Grammy jumps into action and takes off on the open road with Justin in tow. As we wind along country roads my focus being to listen for opportunities to relate to Justin and let him observe the drive and allow for him to communicate his impressions. Justin says, “Grammy, are we going on an adventure?” All little boys need an adventure, a hunt, something to concur. I said, “Yes keep your eyes open you just never know what is around the corner.”

First stop, a RV and manufactured home lot. The little pre-fabricated cabins looked like “Little House on The Prairie” and were great fun as we checked out all the closets, sinks, toilets and attic. Miss Heather, the sales person, was very impressed with Justin’s manors and the fact he remembered her name. When she made comment that she was surprised he remembered her name Justin said, “No I did not remember your name I saw your picture on the wall with your name.” Pretty smart, huh?

While driving through a run down lakeside community Justin commented that the people needed to clean up their houses, maybe wash them once and awhile. He has an eye for detail.

The next part of our adventure was really an opportune teaching time. You know those times that happen most days if we are not too busy to notice. As we snaked along a back road a sign caught my eye. “TOMATOES HELP YOUR SELF”. I say, “Justin I think I see another adventure back there.” Turning the car around we glide to a stop in front of a rickety vegetable stand, boards barely holding up a tin roof. We sit in the car, for a while and take turns reading the sign. He is so excited to find this place and to discover the sign is telling us to “Help Your Self If We Are Not Here, Put the Money In the Box”.

You would have thought we were Lewis and Clark on a great expedition. As we jumped out of the car on our way to the stand the teaching time began as I guided Justin to use the skills he had learned in Kindergarten while reinforcing Godly principals Mommy, Daddy and Grammy have lived out before him. I really wanted him to think through these processes. First he used his reading skills, then math skills. I held the plastic bag while Justin loaded the correct amount of tomatoes for the price indicated. Now the ethics came into play. The total amount we owed was $8.00; I had a Five-dollar bill and Two Ones and a Ten Dollar bill. We discussed if it would be ok to leave only $7.00. He thought about it and said no we owed $8.00. Now this is where it gets good. I asked Justin if it mattered that we did the right thing since there wasn’t anyone home at the house to know if we paid any money at all. He said, “God would know”. Out of the mouths of babies. Is it any wonder Jesus said, “Let the little children come”?

I asked Justin to look around at the yard and the house and tell me what he saw. Remember his comments earlier concerning the lakeside houses. He said, “Grammy we need to leave the $10.00 in the box to help them buy milk for their baby.” He saw a car seat in the old car next to the house. I told Justin I liked his idea and I was sure God did, too. He folded up the Ten and wiggled it through the slot in a beat up metal box. We prayed for the people in the house, before leaving, asking God to bless them and cause their crops to grow.

Little boys were born for adventure. In fact they were created for it. The Lord our God searches the hearts and minds of those he will call into service and he starts early. He is looking for just such a one as my Justin. A little Sheppard boy like King David, a boy not yet a man but; with a heart for God. A boy at this young age who cares about the things God cares about will be equipped for battle and adventure by King of Kings and Lord of Lords, King Jesus. In the coming years The World and the decisions made will be part of the honing process used to sharpen the arrows of righteousness that will be used to shoot at the heart of Satan. Justin your greatest adventures are yet to come! Remember to always press on in the strong name of Jesus Christ.

Love,

Grammy
8-10-8

“Because I Said So”

You may remember these words from your childhood as irritating as salt on a wound. At least that was the sting I felt when my Mom announced the same to me.

Now, 56 years old, I yearn to hear not only the phase but strain the memory to bring forth the directions preceding the statement. Some I do remember with clarity:

(1) Don’t play in the street.
(2) Stay back from the raging creek after a downpour.
(3) Don’t talk to strangers.

Others come to me now with mundane activities:

(1) Turn off the water while brushing your teeth-it saves on the water bill.
(2) Clean your plate.
(3) Snipping the threads of each sewn seam as you proceed-saves time in the end.

My Mom, your Grama, was a strong willed women, straight as a willow branch whipped by the winds of the times she endured. She was tall graceful—a dancer-singer her beauty was ageless. Sacrificing her potential for her Husband and the pride of her life, three Daughters, leaves a visual record burnt into the back wall of my memory.

“Because I Said So,” was the catch phrase—the punctuation mark that caused me to stop short like a cutting horse in a dust cloud. When the dust settled and our eyes met I knew who was the “Boss”. Even then I took a strange comfort in knowing who was boss.

Respect allows a heart and mind to trust and willing follow. The time for negotiating is over and willing submission is the favored choice. When the choice was rebellion the consequences were administered to bring self-control and balance back to our family. It was a learning time for the entire family for those watching, receiving and giving.

(1) If I didn’t pick up my toys they disappeared and there weren’t many to begin with.
(2) If I didn’t come home from the neighbors on time the next time I had to come home earlier or not go at all.
(3) If I back-talked my Mom I got a spanking, for willful disrespect.

I don’t remember having many choices and when I did I knew it was a special time and I should choose wisely. I paid attention to the teaching of , “Because I Said So”. If I had not had the base of those teachings from birth to 11 years of age the teen years would have been more of a struggle than they were. In the earlier years I had a healthy fear of Mom and Dad. Fear that reminds one who the boss is and what the boundaries are that keep you safely in the will of the Parents and God; while bring the benefits of being part of an affirming group--love, acceptance, nurturing, affiliation and, security—“The Family”. God invented, “The Family”, as a forum to deal with our enate selfish nature. We are born rebellious and self centered . The baby cries—wants everything NOW!

The same goes as we grow. If Mom had not with held something I would not know how to self discipline. It must have pained her so to step in many times and administrate the discipline so the next time I would learn to do it my self and avoid the trauma of the correction and the unpleasant consequences that followed.

Melanie, I had a very tender heart as you did we only needed the, “Eye”, from our Mother as a warning, it was time to think about self discipline. Then there are the other kind—like my Sister, Debbie. She would have melt downs—stomp around-throw things. It took more scarify by Mom to break her will without breaking her spirit. Always with the goal of teaching that security is one of the benefits to being part of a family and to let her know she was wanted but; she must submit to the will of the leader. Therefore; the balance returns to the Family.

God is all about balance, that is why HE warns us of those things which distract us from the focus on HIM. It is GOD and HIS WORD that instructs us and teaches us how to be submissive members of his Family. All through the scriptures there are stories about members of his Family who needed correction and he gave it sometimes in the form a heavy hand and sometime he gave the people just what the wanted until they realized it was not what God wanted for them because He knew they could not handle it. It was at that time they turned and willing followed—broken will not broken spirit. Many times God will whisper and sometimes shout, “Because I Said So”.

In those early years Mom and Dad had distraction which kept them from God’s WORD. And, I believe their children’s willful behavior and their constant desire to send us on our path as confident, nurtured, obedient, productive individual brought great stress and confusion to their relationship. But, the one pervasive ideal I bring to this day is: I was loved, cared for, provided for, I belonged and above all they were the bosses of my world and I trusted and respected them with all of my heart. This is God’s purpose for Family his Family-that we who are called by His Name will turn from our willful ways and submit to Him—He will be faithful to be called our God and we will be His Family.

Isn’t He awesome how He allows us to struggle daily with our families here on Earth as a model of a Greater Family above? “As it is on Earth so it will be in Heaven”

I love you and am so proud of you as a women and a leader of your Children, along side your Husband. Keep up the good work and know you are blessed among women because He has entrusted you with two image bearers of Christ Jesus, which comes with His owner’s manual, The Bible.

Love,
Mom (Grammy)

Listen Well

My passion and goal is to present a bridge of wisdom from one generation to another. In our busy world important subjects slip through the cracks due to the excuses of: no time to listen, soccer games, school and errands to run. Then when wisdom is in the grave it is lost and nothing else will matter to those left as the ear strains for the pearls unshared. I must write the heritage to be left for straining ears and for future days when they will have nothing but time.