Women's Prison Series: Does God Care About My Intimate Relationships?

Hollywood! E news! Inquiring minds want to know? 

Fresh off the press! A newly created series on intimate relationships. This topic was requested by the inmates so I will post my thoughts and feedback regarding this HOT topic.

Relationship Series:   DOES GOD CARE ABOUT MY INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS

August 27                             ... With Him

September 10                        ... With My Dysfunctional Family - Abusive Parents

September 24                        ... With My Dysfunctional Family - Rebellious Children
October 8                                  (Guest Speaker)

REMAINDER OF SERIES - CANCELLED - 10/11 UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE BY PRISON STAFF.

October 22                            ... Within My Sex Life 
November 12                        ... Within Homosexuality

November 26                        ... Within My Marriage –Why Bother Getting Married? (Living Together, Abortion, Marriage, Adultery, Divorce)

                                                                                              

Please pray for boldness in truth and love. Stay tuned... May God's will be done... not mine.

Shug

Student Driver? We Cannot Be In Authority Until We Can Submit To Authority!

I love speed! Exhausted from fast-paced, week long bicycling trip, I began speeding my car home dreading the four hours of asphalt ahead of me. To pass the time, I popped in a Christian speaker on CD. She was talking about obeying God in all areas of our lives. The obvious thing to do of course, was to think about my own life.

O.K. Shug - whose authority are you under? God's, my husband's, the government's?

Glancing over to the side of the road, I noticed a speed limit sign. It's funny, how I can be saved but my right foot is slow to follow? All I had to do was to look at the speedometer - I was speeding vigorously 10+ miles over the speed limit (at least that's all I'm willing to admit) blatantly disrespecting the government God has put in place.

At that moment, God convicted my heart in a big way, to be a Christ follower He wants our wholehearted obedience. So, I immediately did the following three things:

1. Stopped: I stopped speeding and brought it down to the legal limit (not a one mile over). Then I set my cruise control for the rest of the 4 hour trip. 
2. Surrendered: I surrendered my pride. Yes, speeding is pride - pride in ignoring the law and doing my own thing. Surrendering as the other drivers stared me down, speeding around my vehicle shaking their heads.
3. Surroundings: I made a point of becoming fully aware of the authority in my daily surroundings. I then began obeying the authority God has put in my life - all to glorify Him.

WE CANNOT BE IN AUTHORITY UNTIL WE CAN SUBMIT TO AUTHORITY!

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. Romans 13:1-2

To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations. Rev 2:26

Friends, may I challenge you? Are you are frustrated in your ministry leadership? Do you have the desire but you are waiting for the opportunity to use your leadership gifts? Maybe, your hope is to lead a ministry team into a Women's Prison?

• Begin by asking God a simple question. "Lord, where am I failing to obey the authority you have put in my life? Please reveal it to me so I can submit out of reverence for you."

It is in submitting to God that we become strong. And it is in following Him we learn to lead. 

At times we may feel like we have a sign on our rear end that says: "Student Driver".  For those of you who stare at me while passing by, I have learned to put a smile on my face and joyfully wave while proclaiming:

"Student Driver: I'm in training... submitting to God's authority".


Shug

Inmates Become "The Church" In Prison

It would be standing room only with a line out the door... if church were illegal or forbidden in this country. 

Recently, the inmates in Minnesota's Correctional Facilities felt this deprivation when the State Government shut down and closed all of it's religious programming. For weeks the inmates abruptly lost all contact with volunteers and outside church organizations. 

Did they feel forgotten? I often found myself thinking of them wondering how they are doing. The day finally arrived and the government was up and running. Eager to start our service, we began with praise music followed by personal testimonies from the inmates. My curiosity was killing me and I couldn't wait to hear what they were experiencing while they were in isolation.

• "You take it for granted when church is always available. Thank you so much for coming." 
• "I was so happy you were all back, no question I had to come." 
• "I never realized how much I desperately depend on and need church while I'm in prison." 

What the women discovered was... 

• "At first it was weird spending time alone without church. But then I realized it depends on me to come to Him and I grew even closer to God because of it."
• "I realized I am never alone, God is here with me all along."
• "I drew even closer to God when I realized I had to take the initiative to praise God and open the Bible myself."
• "Praise Him, Praise Him, Praise Him - we are so glad you're back so we can worship all together again."

You could feel the presence of God's Spirit. Many women accepted Jesus Christ for the first time as their personal Savior. Several others joined in recommitting again their lives to Him.

It is so cool when the lightbulb goes off and we discover - WE ARE THE CHURCH. 

It is NOT a program, a building or sermon.  It is NOT a bunch of rules, regulations or legalism. 

The church is a body of believers in Jesus Christ who support one another in faith. Who laugh together, cry together and love one other unconditionally - just like Christ first loved us - all because he first loved us... 

My prayer is that there is standing room only... as we line up out the door...gathering to praise Jesus Christ.

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some others are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25

All for His Glory!
Shug

Newly Created Tips and Suggestions Page for Women's Prison Ministry

Hello Dear Friends,

Do you have a passion for God's excellence? I have created a page called "Tips and Suggestions For Women's Prison Ministry". By clicking on the link in neighboring margin you will be taken to this site. Please have patience with me as I'm slowly maneuvering through the world of technology.

I will be adding a few suggestions each week (not at all exhaustive) that I've experienced in prison ministry. I would love to hear any suggestions that you have found helpful as well.

Please join me as we share ideas with the hope of bringing "excellence" to women's prison ministry.

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

Much love,
Shug

My Call To Women's Prison Ministry

I was a nervous wreck! My first prison talk was finished and ready to be presented at an all-level women's prison. I was driving to make copies of the women I was about to introduce them to: Rahab, the Samaritan Woman, Lot's Wife and Esther. The topic was: "God Loves Us and Can Use Us Just As We Are."

Shug, a writer? I don't think so, however, I spent countless hours writing trying to get this message right. It was almost like God’s hands were typing through my fingers. My hope was that these bold women would NOW become bold for Christ by the end of the service. 

"Remember, it's all about God!"  "God keeps his promises."  "God does the calling."  "God will equip."  "God will go before me…"  "What am I doing?"  "Did I somehow coerce my way into this prison speaking engagement?"  "I have taught at many different venues, but prison?" "Who am I going into the Prison?" 

Was it my non-stop complaining that irritated God when He interrupted me?

"I HAVE CREATED YOU FOR A TIME SUCH AS THIS!" 

Past memories literally flashed in front of my mind like a picture screen. My own poor decisions, past mistakes and stubborn rebellion were not about to be wasted. (By the way, that tamed rebellion occasionally rears up unexpectedly - just ask my husband.)

Does someone in that women's prison need to hear that God's love and forgiveness can change me from the inside - out? YOU BET SHE DOES! And He can do the same for her too.

While pleading for God’s forgiveness in doubting my call... I felt an overwhelming peace.

I confidently went through the Prison gate in good company…

with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

I had a front row seat to watch these precious women laugh, cry and boldly accept Jesus as their Savior. 

A few questions to ask yourself: 


What "God" promptings have you had that Women's Prison Ministry is your purpose in life?


In prayer, have you asked God to either open the opportunity in prison ministry or close them if it's not your calling?


Have you ignored God's calling or doubted God’s call to serve inside the prison?

Are you trained and prepared to give these women your very best?

For perhaps... "God has created you for a time such as this?"

All For His Glory!

Shug


Here Am I Lord. Send me!  Isaiah 6:8