Most of my posts about what I get to do in my job of music ministry are happy, victorious, and exciting. But today was different. Today I experienced what could be referred to as the roller coaster of prison ministry. You just never know what can happen.

I got invited to come lead worship as part of the IFI graduation ceremony for some of the women inside the Shakopee State Prison. What an honor to be part of this major milestone for the women who have worked so hard to graduate from this Christ-centered program. As I normally do when I'm invited to lead worship for various events inside prisons, I invited some others to come along to observe and be part of the experience. I always invite others to join, because I feel it is just as important for others to participate in how God is working in places outside of our everyday "normal" as it is to minister to the inmates inside. To visit with people who are locked up in a prison, but whose lives are being transformed by God, really is a life changing experience. To read some stories of others who share about how their visits to the prison have changed their perspectives, check out their "volunteer testimonies".

Our group had all arrived at the facility to get checked in. Everything was going smoothly until we found out that two of the women from our group weren't going to be allowed in because their names weren't on the list of people who were cleared for this visit. Somehow, their names had been overlooked as part of the approval process. My heart sunk. This wasn't the first time a complication like this has happened at this prison. A couple months ago, the prison went on lock-down while we were there and our event got cancelled, forcing us all to go home. And the last time we were there, we were told no one from our group was cleared to go in, because all of the paperwork got lost. Upon hearing this, our group immediately started praying and the situation worked itself out that we were able to enter in, even without the paperwork. God had literally worked a miracle, because anyone who is familiar with the prison system knows that favors are given out to no one. The rules are black and white, no exceptions: No paperwork, no entrance. But by God's grace and favor, somehow we were allowed in that night on a "favor". Thank you God!

But this time was different. We weren't able to get around the obstacle this time. I was so excited for these two ladies, in particular, to experience this because it would have been their first time getting to interact with the inmates. They had taken time off from work and their families, and I felt responsible since I had invited them. I experienced feelings of frustration with the prison system and heavy-heartedness that these two women had to return home without being able to experience the joy that comes from being part of a visit like this. I wish everyone could come along on a prison visit to be part of this eye-opening and life-changing experience! Ultimately, this is why my heart was so heavy-- these two women weren't going to get to see the hope and joy that God can bring in an environment like this.

But, as they say, "The show must go on". I, along with the three others from our group who did make it through the approval process, still had to carry through with what we were there to do, despite frustrations. So I took a deep breath and allowed my attitude to switch gears. I was there for these women and to celebrate with them what they had worked so hard to accomplish. I felt so honored to be invited to be part of this! The program included an opening prayer by one of the graduates, some honorary speakers, two testimonies from a couple of the other inmate graduates, some praise & worship, and celebrating with cake and refreshments afterwards.

The highlight for me was getting to lead us in singing "I am Redeemed" by Big Daddy Weave. I have sung this song before in church, but the lyrics that talked about being a prisoner, bound up in shackles, but being set FREE touched me in an entirely new way as I sang this with the inmates. Check out the lyrics below and picture yourself in a room full of inmates in a prison who have been transformed by God's grace as you sing along. It will give you a whole new perspective to God's redeeming power!

I have learned through my years in doing prison ministry that it brings many joys, but not without some trials. If I could ask you to pray for one thing, it would be to pray that people who come along for future visits would be able to be approved without any glitches. I hope you will consider coming with me on a future visit to celebrate the work God is doing in these womens' lives!

Redeemed

Seems like all I could see was the struggle
Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past
Bound up in shackles of all my failures
Wondering how long is this gonna last
Then You look at this prisoner and say to me "son,
stop fighting a fight it's already been won"

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, now I'm not who I used to be
I am redeemed, I'm redeemed

All my life I have been called unworthy
Named by the voice of my shame and regret
But when I hear You whisper, "Child lift up your head"
I remember, oh God, You're not done with me yet

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, now I'm not who I used to be

Because I don't have to be the old man inside of me
'Cause his day is long dead and gone
Because I've got a new name, a new life, I'm not the same
And a hope that will carry me home

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, 'cause I'm not who I used to be

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, yeah, I'm not who I used to be
Oh, God, I'm not who I used to be
Jesus, I'm not who I used to be
'Cause I am redeemed
Thank God, redeemed

How do you know when you worship something?

- Think about it
- Talk about it
- Seek attention from it
- Imitate it
- Invest time in it
- Sacrifice for it

-->Answers above are from the Urban Refuge youth group this week.


A pastor once told me, "You become like what you worship". And, "If you want to know what you worship, just take a look through your checkbook. How you spend your money will show you what you worship".

So what do you worship? Do you ever find yourself consumed by some of these things, worshiping things that you don't want to?

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."   -Philippians 4:8

What do YOU think about, talk about, seek attention from, imitate, invest time in, or sacrifice for?

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." -Matthew 6:21