May 13, 2026 • 27 mins
Somebody else’s death became Lisa’s doorway to life and she carries that weight every single day. From the moment we sit down at Still Waters in Pascagoula, Mississippi, her story pulls everything into focus: breath is a gift, recovery is hard, and grace is real even after addiction, trauma, and years of choices made out of desperation.
We talk about what Still Waters does as a nonprofit transitional home for people coming out of treatment, jail, prison, or drug court, and why stable housing and steady support can mean the difference between relapse and rebuilding. Lisa also gets honest about what drives addiction in the first place: fractured families, absent fathers, deep dysfunction, and the kind of shame that makes people numb out instead of reaching out. Along the way, she reframes a loaded word many of us struggle with. “Holy” is not perfect. It is set apart for God’s purpose, and God can use broken people.
Then the conversation turns to a terminal diagnosis and a double lung transplant that came fast and felt impossible. Oxygen tanks, rare compatibility, a “perfect fit” match, and the hard truth behind every organ donation: someone had to die so she could live. That reality opens the door to the episode’s central spiritual theme, too: Jesus stepping into brokenness to give life. If you feel spiritually out of breath, we offer a grounded way forward: healing happens one event at a time, one decision at a time, one prayer at a time.
Listen, share this with someone who needs hope, and if the show helps you, subscribe and leave a review so more people can find these real stories of grace.
Thank you for listening! Please help us by sharing this podcast with your friends and telling someone about what Jesus has done for you. If you would like to share your story, visit our website https://thepromoter.org/
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Announcer (00:01):
It's time now to get the hell out of your life.
A weekly broadcast with realpeople, sharing real struggles,
and offering real hope.
Today's show will encourage,inspire, and empower you to face
life's challenges with a boldconfidence and renewed hope.
Now let's join our host, RonMyers, the promoter.
Ron Meyers (00:21):
I'm on the road today, friends, in Pascagoula,
Mississippi.
My guest is alive becausesomebody died.
A double lung transplant, asecond chance, and today the
clearest picture of grace you'llever hear.
Hello, my friends, and welcometo Get the Hell Out of Your
Life.
Real stories, real struggles,and real hope.
(00:43):
This show is for people who maynot go to church.
Maybe you've been hurt byreligion, disappointed by
Christians, or you simply wonderif God still works in broken
places.
My personal goal is simple tobrag on Jesus.
To share real raw redemptionoutside of a building.
(01:04):
And today's conversationcarries the weight of life
itself.
What happens when somebody diesso you can live?
Our guest today, Lisa, knowsthe answer to that question in a
deeply personal way.
After a terminal diagnosis andyears of struggle, she found
herself living on oxygen, barelybreathing, hanging between hope
(01:29):
and heartbreak.
Then the call came a donormatch, a double lung transplant.
Somebody else's death becamethe doorway to her survival.
And as powerful as that storyis physically, it points us
toward an even deeper spiritualtruth.
Jesus came to earth, livedamong us, died on a cross, and
(01:52):
rose from the dead so that wecould truly live not just
someday in heaven, butspiritually, alive right now,
free, forgiven, restored,breathing again on the inside.
Today's episode is also aboutrecovery, addiction, trauma,
broken families, absent fathers,shame, and the pain that
(02:15):
silently drives people towarddestructive choices.
And if you're hanging on by athread today, there's a phrase
in this interview that may helpyou breathe again one event at a
time.
So settle in because thisconversation might be the
miracle you have been I'mon the road today in
(02:39):
Pascagoula, Mississippi.
I'm at Stillwaters, atransitional home, and I'll be
talking with the owners, Rickyand Lisa Charlton.
Lisa, I love this place.
Will you tell the listenerswhat Still Waters is?
Lisa Charlton (02:54):
Still Waters is a 501c3 nonprofit charity, and we
are a transitional house forindividuals coming out of
treatment or jail or in drugcourt.
We have people coming out ofprison that are here, and we've
been doing it since 2006, iswhen we first started.
(03:16):
I had Joanne Bird from DrugCourt call me and wanted to know
she had a client who hadnowhere to go.
And I actually knew the girl.
I used to buy drugs from her.
And I had been clean.
So she called me.
And of course, Ricky is alicensed commercial contractor,
and this was right afterHurricane Katrina.
(03:36):
And so we were doing a lot ofconstruction work.
And so this whole upstairs, Isaid, Ricky, let's let's open up
a teening salon.
So he built all those littleindividual rooms up here.
And this had been going on forabout a year, and we had started
getting overwhelmed withconstruction work.
And when I got that call fromJoanne, we had already started
(04:02):
an aftercare group over here atRiverside Baptist Church for the
drug court people because theywere having to go all the way to
Green County for theiraftercare.
And so, you know, we hadalready made that connection,
and Ricky and I talked about it,and I said, let's just why
don't we just get rid of thistanning salon and make these
(04:24):
rooms for women?
Wow.
And that's what we did.
Ron Meyers (04:27):
I mean, you've been doing it for 20 years.
Lisa Charlton (04:28):
Yes.
Ron Meyers (04:29):
Wow.
So it's dear to your heartbecause you said a minute ago
you've dealt with addiction.
Lisa Charlton (04:35):
Both Ricky and I both have.
Mine started fairly young, hadan alcoholic father who was
absent.
He worked overseas.
When we traveled, there wereseven of us, and we would go,
you know, we've lived all overthe world.
My mother would give us volume.
Alcoholics Anonymous, and I Iunderstand it now.
It's taken many years to get agrasp on, you know, to reconcile
(04:59):
this condition with what I knewphysically and mentally, what I
was bound with, with myspiritual life.
It's been a long journey from,you know, under coming out of
the confines of the CatholicChurch.
And there were so many goodthings I took from that, but
there was also a lot ofquestions I was left with.
And so at the age of 17, Iended up first treatment center,
(05:25):
was the East Mississippi StateHospital.
And I had a spiritualexperience there that completely
revolutionized me.
I just surrendered my life toGod.
Ron Meyers (05:37):
You met Jesus.
Amen.
Lisa Charlton (05:39):
I mean, I was literally flooded with a light
that I could not explain.
And that same day, my mothercame to pick me up from there.
It was horrible.
I mean, you want to talk abouta demonic place.
Things started falling intoplace.
Ron Meyers (05:55):
So when you have this spiritual experience and
God just Jesus comes into yourlife.
Yes.
Lisa Charlton (06:02):
So there are some things that I think are so
embedded in us as human beingsthat it takes a lifetime to
purify for whatever God hasconsecrated us for.
And I I never under, I hate, Idid not like that we are to be
(06:22):
holy.
You know, we say that inscripture.
And I just shy, I just it leftsuch a bad taste in my mouth
because I knew I could neverachieve that.
Ron Meyers (06:32):
But you know, when you talk to people now, it
seemed like every family, everyperson, you know, has somebody
that is addiction.
Even beyond that, is it just somuch pressure in the world?
What's your thoughts of whatleads person to addiction?
Lisa Charlton (06:49):
I think it is there's no family.
No family, I think it'scertainly no fathers.
You know, and you've gotchildren.
I know when I worked at thehome of grace, the level of
dysfunction in some of those, Imean, we had girls that came
there that were prostituted bytheir mothers at the age of 13,
14 years old for their own drugmoney, drug hack hack.
(07:12):
You know, I think that there isvalue in redemption, that God
recycles it and it has a perthere's a purpose for it.
You know, it's like that wordholy.
I was talking about, you know,there there are things that I
have learned in doing this whereGod has healed me as I'm
healing other people.
(07:32):
That holy does not mean I'mperfect, it does not mean I'm
this, it does not mean I'm that.
Anything that is pulled andconsecrated for the purposes of
God becomes holy.
He told Moses, take off yourshoes because you're standing on
holy ground.
That ground was consecrated forthe purposes of God, and so
(07:54):
therefore it's holy.
Ron Meyers (07:56):
So you're living out what is your purpose, you feel
your purpose, your destiny.
I agree too.
But to somebody listening,maybe their child or their
family members dealing withaddiction, and they haven't hit,
you know, the freedom yet thatyou have, what would you tell
that person?
Lisa Charlton (08:15):
I would tell that person to never give up, to
reach out, to to go where thelight is.
Wherever you're you find thelight of God, you go there and
you you pray.
You don't give up because Goddoes not abandon his children.
And I know, you know, I knowfor me, and I I believe for
Ricky as well, that there is alegacy of faith that God honors.
(08:40):
Yeah, I had praying parents, Ihad to pray as for as
dysfunctional as they were, theylifted their hearts up on my
behalf.
Ron Meyers (08:48):
I've had many guests tell me that they know they are
alive today because of theprayers of their mothers or
grandmothers.
And so prayer is veryimportant, isn't it?
Lisa Charlton (09:00):
I remember at my mother's funeral, there was a
nun that taught me she knew inelementary school, and she was
so glad to see me doing well,you know, and she said, I have
calluses on my knees praying foryou.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
Wow.
Lisa Charlton (09:19):
That your mother asked me to pray for you.
And I believe that.
I believe God honors that.
He doesn't see religion, hedoes, he's not Baptist, he's not
Catholic, he's not, but hesearches the hearts of people,
and you know, the pure prayersget answered.
And so I would say to somebody,you know, reach out for help
(09:39):
and know that there's hope.
This is not a, you know, I wasnot a bad person trying to get
good, I was a sick person tryingto get well, you know, and
Jesus said, I did not come forthe well, I came for the sick.
And so there's a lot of comfortin that.
There's a lot of where I canjust drop my guard and and say,
(10:02):
Okay, here I am.
I need all the help I can getfrom you.
And he really is the only onewho can bring that about.
However, he does it.
God uses, he's got peopletucked all over the place doing
his will, and they're the mostrandom people.
Ron Meyers (10:19):
Right.
Yeah, I agree.
Well, you did a good job.
Lisa Charlton (10:23):
I think it's wonderful what you're doing.
Ron Meyers (10:25):
Yeah, you're a happy person.
I like that.
Lisa Charlton (10:27):
I am very happy.
I actually had a double lungtransplant two years ago.
You had a double lungtransplant?
Yes, two years ago.
I was still working at the homeof graves.
My goodness.
And I I told Shaleensomething's not right, and I had
to find out what was wrong, andI was diagnosed with the
terminal illness in 2020 and wasput in on Oshner's program.
(10:53):
I wasn't expecting that.
You know, it brought me a levelof wow dependence on God that
I've never had to have before.
You know, I've always been afighter, I'm a survivor, but
there was no relying on myselfin this.
(11:14):
You've got to be sick enough tobe put on the list, but you've
got to be well enough to survivethe surgery.
Ron Meyers (11:21):
And the transplant can only come from somebody else
that had died, right?
Yes.
Lisa Charlton (11:27):
I was you've got to, you know, there, you've got
to go through a whole battery oftests and and you've got to
stay monitored.
And so my blood match, they doa what's called a panoreactive
antibody test, and they put thatinto their donor thing and see
who you're compatible with.
And I was only compatible, Iwould only be compatible with 8%
(11:51):
of the lungs availablenationwide.
I got put on their list inOctober, and by December, I was
on 10 liters of oxygencontinuously.
And so she told me, we're gonnasend you out to Baylor St.
Luke's in Texas, or you're notgonna make it.
And so I went out there, andyou know, you gotta do tests and
(12:13):
get put on their list.
Within seven days, they calledme for lungs.
And we went to the hospital,and you know, they immediately
start, the family all startedcoming in, and the doctor came
in and he said, I just want totell you that we got your lungs
this morning.
And he said, because theymeasure your cavity, chest
(12:38):
cavity, they all day longthey're doing stuff.
And he said, I just want to letyou know size-wise, it's a
perfect fit.
Wow.
And he said, the blood typematching is virtually a perfect
match.
And he said, What I'm saying toyou is this is nothing less
than a miracle.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
Wow.
Lisa Charlton (13:00):
And he said, We're gonna, you know, we're
gonna get you transplantedtoday.
So I was like, What?
All I kept saying was.
Ron Meyers (13:08):
So you're you're on oxygen because you could hardly
breathe, and now you hear thatyou're gonna have a whole new
life.
Lisa Charlton (13:18):
I mean they take you to a little room and the
doctors come up and get you.
And when I sat down in thechair, and I've got a picture of
it.
When I sat down in that chair,a silver cross popped up.
It must have fallen.
Wow.
A silver cross popped up andliterally leaned it on my leg.
(13:41):
Wow.
And my brother-in-law took mebecause my sister had just flown
out that morning for herdaughter's baby shower in
upstate New York.
And so my poor brother-in-lawhad to take me.
And he said, What is that?
I said, Phil, it's a cross.
Speaker 4 (13:59):
It's a cross.
Lisa Charlton (14:00):
And I started crying.
He said, I he said, What doesit say?
And it said, God loves you.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
Wow.
Lisa Charlton (14:08):
And so through the whole thing, I was he was
with you.
Oh, I didn't know if I wasgonna survive it.
I didn't you are in such astate, not to mention the
overwhelming that you've gotsomebody else's who just died.
Ron Meyers (14:26):
Who just died?
Do they tell you anything aboutthe donor?
Lisa Charlton (14:32):
You can write their family and they pass it
on.
And if their family wants toget in touch with you, they
will.
And I've done that and I've notheard back.
And so I'm just gonna, youknow, respect that.
Sometimes, you know, they saidsometimes it's too painful.
Ron Meyers (14:48):
Do you ever just sometimes think when you you
know, drinking a cup of coffeejust by yourself?
That I have somebody else.
Lisa Charlton (14:57):
Oh, it's constant.
Ron Meyers (14:58):
It's constant.
Probably never wow.
Lisa Charlton (15:00):
And I had, you know, before this happened, I
knew that somebody, you know,somebody was gonna have to die
so that I could live.
Yeah, I don't know if it was mywas making it up or what.
But I just had this vision ofthis girl with long blonde hair
(15:21):
on the top of a hill, and therewas nothing but white in front
of her.
And she just would look back atme with a look.
And I felt in my heart thatthat was my donor.
I just felt, and I knew, youknow, that's what I was saying.
You can't, this is a wholenother level of surrender.
Ron Meyers (15:40):
So when you talk to people about God, you can go to
a deeper level that none of usunderstand because you are a
miracle.
Because you are literally awalking living miracle.
I really am.
Wow, no wonder you have suchgood faith.
What a story.
Lisa Charlton (16:00):
Well, you ever think, ask yourself, Lord, why
me?
Yes, I have over and over, andI've just come to the
conclusion, and this is why thisis why you can give somebody
hope.
Is because when I look back onhow hard it's been for me to be
(16:21):
healed of all the things thathave made me me, all the bad
choices, all the bad decisions,you know, many of them were just
out of desperation, jumpingfrom one mess I made to another
mess I made.
And somehow or another, God hasbeen faithful to my prayers.
And my prayers were just, God,please help me.
(16:43):
Please don't give up on me.
And when I look back on allthat, you know, there's nothing
that makes sense other than thefact that God loves me.
That's it.
Because I did everything Icould to mess it up over and
over and over, just out of myown brokenness, out of my own,
(17:03):
just like I said, I'm none of usare bad people trying to get
good.
We're sick people trying to getwell.
And that's the good news isthat Jesus said, I did not come
for the well, I came for thesick.
Ron Meyers (17:16):
So now someone listening, they just need hope.
Give them some hope.
Yeah, there's hope.
Lisa Charlton (17:21):
I mean, I'm sitting here, you know, as like
I said, we have this morning,Ricky and I were talking, and I
said, you know, the bottom lineis by God's grace and mercy, I
have outran and outlived all ofmy vices, all the sins that
would destroy me.
No, none of the weapons thathave been formed against me have
been able to prosper.
(17:42):
And that's only all I did waspray.
That's all I did was pray andshow up wherever God led me.
Ron Meyers (17:50):
Well, the title of my show is called Get the Hell
Out of Your Life.
So I'm gonna ask you how does aperson get the hell out of
their life?
Lisa Charlton (18:00):
One event at a time.
Ron Meyers (18:02):
One event at a time.
Lisa Charlton (18:03):
And you offer the best that you have to God, and
that is enough.
He will take that and he willmold you, and he will, you know,
like it says, the greatrefiner, he sits over our lives
like a refiner, and he'll turnthe heat up a little bit and
pull some of that dross off andlet it cool down, and then he'll
(18:23):
put the fire back up again.
And then, you know, the thesaying that when when he's done,
he can look in the and see hisreflection.
Ron Meyers (18:33):
Wow.
And before we go, will you prayfor the listeners out there?
Lisa Charlton (18:37):
You bet, you bet.
Well, Heavenly Father, I thankyou so much for every ear that
is coming under our voice.
And God, I thank you that yourgrace and your love and your
mercy would pour through andspeak to those who are lost, who
are confused, who are hurting,who feel alone, who are
desperate, God.
I thank you for thewonderfulness of your Son Jesus
(19:02):
Christ and the story ofredemption that he brings to all
of our lives.
And Father, what a beautifuljourney it is.
That suffering does not have tobe an ugly thing.
It doesn't have to end ugly,that there is a wonderful beauty
that comes from it when wesurrender our lives to you and
(19:22):
our hearts to you.
And so, Father, I thank youthat you would touch the hearts
of those listening and thatsomehow your message of hope and
love and restoration gets sentforth in Jesus' holy name.
Amen.
Ron Meyers (19:40):
Wow.
You know there are interviewsyou enjoy, and then there are
interviews that stay with youlong after the microphones are
turned off.
This is one of thoseconversations.
Lisa's story forces us to stopand think about something most
of us avoid.
Life is fragile.
Every breath is a gift, andsometimes we don't recognize the
(20:04):
value of breath until we'restruggling to take one.
What struck me the most was theemotional tension she carries,
gratitude that she's alive whilealso knowing someone else lost
their life so she could receivethose lungs.
That's heavy.
That changes you.
(20:25):
But isn't that also the gospel?
Jesus willingly laid down hislife so we could live eternally.
Not because we earn it, notbecause we are perfect, but
because love stepped into ourbrokenness and made a way.
And maybe today you feelspiritually out of breath.
(20:50):
Addiction, fear, shame,anxiety, regret.
Maybe life has knocked the windout of you.
Friend, hear me clearly.
There is still hope for you.
Hope is spelled J E S U S.
Lisa also reminded us thatrecovery is rarely instant.
(21:13):
Healing usually happens oneevent at a time, one decision at
a time, one prayer at a time,one surrender at a time.
And if someone you love isstruggling right now, don't give
up on them.
Keep reaching, keep praying,keep shining light into dark
(21:36):
places.
Sometimes people survivebecause somebody refused to stop
believing in them.
That's what this show is allabout.
Encouraging and empoweringpeople to believe that with God,
your worst chapter does nothave to be your final chapter.
(21:58):
I will be back in a minute.
And close out today's show.
Announcer (22:02):
You're listening to Get the Hell Out of Your Life
with your host, Ron Myers.
Real stories, real struggles,and real hope.
Speaker 3 (22:13):
Here's a refreshing word just for you today from
Matthew 6.33.
But seek first his kingdom andhis righteousness, and all these
things will be given to you aswell.
A refreshing word for you fromGod's Word.
Speaker 4 (22:29):
Jesus, Jesus.
What do you think of when youhear that name?
Jesus, Jesus.
Love, life, hope, joy, joy,peace, friend, companion,
confident, savior.
The God of the universe lives.
And he lives in the form of aman.
(22:50):
That man is Jesus Christ.
For God so loved the world thathe gave his only son, that
whosoever believes in him shallhave eternal life.
Jesus.
What will you do with him?
He knocks on the door of yourheart.
When you open that door, yourlife will change.
Forever.
(23:12):
It came that the world may havelife and may have it more
abundantly.
Ask Jesus into your heart anddiscover what living is all
about.
Call 1-888-NeedM.
Speaker 2 (23:43):
Get the hell out of your life.
Get the hell out of your life.
Ron Meyers (23:51):
My friend, before we leave today, I want you to
think about this.
You and I are only oneheartbeat away from eternity.
That's not meant to scare you.
It's meant to wake you up.
Lisa's story reminds us howprecious life really is.
Every breath matters.
(24:11):
Every day matters.
Every decision matters.
Every person listening matters.
And maybe today you've beenspiritually suffocating, trying
to carry pain by yourself,trying to outrun your past,
trying to numb the hurt, tryingto be strong while falling apart
(24:32):
inside.
My friend, listen to this.
Jesus did not come to condemnyou.
He came to save you so youcould live.
The cross was not the end ofthe story.
The resurrection power provedthat death, addiction, shame,
fear, and hopelessness do notget the final word.
(24:54):
Here are a few action steps youcan take away from today's
show.
One, if you need help, ask forit today.
Not next week, but today.
Number two, if someone you loveis struggling, reach out again
and again.
Don't stop believing.
Number three, go where thelight is, stay in the light,
(25:15):
stay around healthy people,healthy places, healthy voices.
Number four, stop letting yourpast define your future.
God has an awesome plan forthose who follow Him.
Number five, remember holydoesn't mean perfect.
It means set apart for apurpose.
(25:36):
God can use broken people.
I know that for a fact becauseI was a broken individual living
on Misfit Island, and he cameand he rescued me.
In fact, most of the people heuses in Scripture were broken
first.
And maybe that's why you'relistening right now.
Maybe this isn't random.
(25:57):
Maybe God is reminding you thatyou still have a purpose, and
there's still breath in yourlungs for a reason.
I say this often because Ibelieve with all my heart.
Don't live on the island ofregrets.
You know what villages calledshould have, would have, and
could have, because it's nevertoo late for a new beginning.
(26:18):
You know, this show is producedespecially for non-churchgoers,
for people who have been hurt,disappointed, or pushed away
from faith.
My goal is simple to brag onJesus and remind you that grace
is bigger than your past.
Grace is bigger than all yourmistakes.
And remember this someone diedso you could live, both
(26:41):
physically in Lisa's story andspiritually through Jesus
Christ.
If today's episode has touchedyou, share it with someone that
needs some encouragement, somehope.
I will be back next week withanother grace-filled episode of
Get the Hell Out of Your Life,available wherever you listen to
(27:01):
podcast.
Until next time, this is RonMyers reminding you keep
breathing in grace.
And remember, life with Jesusis pretty cool.
Try it.
Announcer (27:25):
Today's show was produced by Ron Myers
Ministries, a listener-supportedministry.
For a copy of today'sbroadcast, please visit our
website, thepromoter.org.
And would you prayerfullyconsider making a tax deductible
donation so that we maycontinue to share stories of
God's amazing grace with theworld?
And join us next week foranother broadcast of Get the
(27:46):
Hell Out of Your Life.
Real people, sharing realstruggles, and offering real
hope.
It's time now to get the hell out of your life.
A weekly broadcast with realpeople, sharing real struggles,
and offering real hope.
Today's show will encourage,inspire, and empower you to face
life's challenges with a boldconfidence and renewed hope.
Now let's join our host, RonMyers, the promoter.
Ron Meyers (00:21):
I'm on the road today, friends, in Pascagoula,
Mississippi.
My guest is alive becausesomebody died.
A double lung transplant, asecond chance, and today the
clearest picture of grace you'llever hear.
Hello, my friends, and welcometo Get the Hell Out of Your
Life.
Real stories, real struggles,and real hope.
(00:43):
This show is for people who maynot go to church.
Maybe you've been hurt byreligion, disappointed by
Christians, or you simply wonderif God still works in broken
places.
My personal goal is simple tobrag on Jesus.
To share real raw redemptionoutside of a building.
(01:04):
And today's conversationcarries the weight of life
itself.
What happens when somebody diesso you can live?
Our guest today, Lisa, knowsthe answer to that question in a
deeply personal way.
After a terminal diagnosis andyears of struggle, she found
herself living on oxygen, barelybreathing, hanging between hope
(01:29):
and heartbreak.
Then the call came a donormatch, a double lung transplant.
Somebody else's death becamethe doorway to her survival.
And as powerful as that storyis physically, it points us
toward an even deeper spiritualtruth.
Jesus came to earth, livedamong us, died on a cross, and
(01:52):
rose from the dead so that wecould truly live not just
someday in heaven, butspiritually, alive right now,
free, forgiven, restored,breathing again on the inside.
Today's episode is also aboutrecovery, addiction, trauma,
broken families, absent fathers,shame, and the pain that
(02:15):
silently drives people towarddestructive choices.
And if you're hanging on by athread today, there's a phrase
in this interview that may helpyou breathe again one event at a
time.
So settle in because thisconversation might be the
miracle you have been I'mon the road today in
(02:39):
Pascagoula, Mississippi.
I'm at Stillwaters, atransitional home, and I'll be
talking with the owners, Rickyand Lisa Charlton.
Lisa, I love this place.
Will you tell the listenerswhat Still Waters is?
Lisa Charlton (02:54):
Still Waters is a 501c3 nonprofit charity, and we
are a transitional house forindividuals coming out of
treatment or jail or in drugcourt.
We have people coming out ofprison that are here, and we've
been doing it since 2006, iswhen we first started.
(03:16):
I had Joanne Bird from DrugCourt call me and wanted to know
she had a client who hadnowhere to go.
And I actually knew the girl.
I used to buy drugs from her.
And I had been clean.
So she called me.
And of course, Ricky is alicensed commercial contractor,
and this was right afterHurricane Katrina.
(03:36):
And so we were doing a lot ofconstruction work.
And so this whole upstairs, Isaid, Ricky, let's let's open up
a teening salon.
So he built all those littleindividual rooms up here.
And this had been going on forabout a year, and we had started
getting overwhelmed withconstruction work.
And when I got that call fromJoanne, we had already started
(04:02):
an aftercare group over here atRiverside Baptist Church for the
drug court people because theywere having to go all the way to
Green County for theiraftercare.
And so, you know, we hadalready made that connection,
and Ricky and I talked about it,and I said, let's just why
don't we just get rid of thistanning salon and make these
(04:24):
rooms for women?
Wow.
And that's what we did.
Ron Meyers (04:27):
I mean, you've been doing it for 20 years.
Lisa Charlton (04:28):
Yes.
Ron Meyers (04:29):
Wow.
So it's dear to your heartbecause you said a minute ago
you've dealt with addiction.
Lisa Charlton (04:35):
Both Ricky and I both have.
Mine started fairly young, hadan alcoholic father who was
absent.
He worked overseas.
When we traveled, there wereseven of us, and we would go,
you know, we've lived all overthe world.
My mother would give us volume.
Alcoholics Anonymous, and I Iunderstand it now.
It's taken many years to get agrasp on, you know, to reconcile
(04:59):
this condition with what I knewphysically and mentally, what I
was bound with, with myspiritual life.
It's been a long journey from,you know, under coming out of
the confines of the CatholicChurch.
And there were so many goodthings I took from that, but
there was also a lot ofquestions I was left with.
And so at the age of 17, Iended up first treatment center,
(05:25):
was the East Mississippi StateHospital.
And I had a spiritualexperience there that completely
revolutionized me.
I just surrendered my life toGod.
Ron Meyers (05:37):
You met Jesus.
Amen.
Lisa Charlton (05:39):
I mean, I was literally flooded with a light
that I could not explain.
And that same day, my mothercame to pick me up from there.
It was horrible.
I mean, you want to talk abouta demonic place.
Things started falling intoplace.
Ron Meyers (05:55):
So when you have this spiritual experience and
God just Jesus comes into yourlife.
Yes.
Lisa Charlton (06:02):
So there are some things that I think are so
embedded in us as human beingsthat it takes a lifetime to
purify for whatever God hasconsecrated us for.
And I I never under, I hate, Idid not like that we are to be
(06:22):
holy.
You know, we say that inscripture.
And I just shy, I just it leftsuch a bad taste in my mouth
because I knew I could neverachieve that.
Ron Meyers (06:32):
But you know, when you talk to people now, it
seemed like every family, everyperson, you know, has somebody
that is addiction.
Even beyond that, is it just somuch pressure in the world?
What's your thoughts of whatleads person to addiction?
Lisa Charlton (06:49):
I think it is there's no family.
No family, I think it'scertainly no fathers.
You know, and you've gotchildren.
I know when I worked at thehome of grace, the level of
dysfunction in some of those, Imean, we had girls that came
there that were prostituted bytheir mothers at the age of 13,
14 years old for their own drugmoney, drug hack hack.
(07:12):
You know, I think that there isvalue in redemption, that God
recycles it and it has a perthere's a purpose for it.
You know, it's like that wordholy.
I was talking about, you know,there there are things that I
have learned in doing this whereGod has healed me as I'm
healing other people.
(07:32):
That holy does not mean I'mperfect, it does not mean I'm
this, it does not mean I'm that.
Anything that is pulled andconsecrated for the purposes of
God becomes holy.
He told Moses, take off yourshoes because you're standing on
holy ground.
That ground was consecrated forthe purposes of God, and so
(07:54):
therefore it's holy.
Ron Meyers (07:56):
So you're living out what is your purpose, you feel
your purpose, your destiny.
I agree too.
But to somebody listening,maybe their child or their
family members dealing withaddiction, and they haven't hit,
you know, the freedom yet thatyou have, what would you tell
that person?
Lisa Charlton (08:15):
I would tell that person to never give up, to
reach out, to to go where thelight is.
Wherever you're you find thelight of God, you go there and
you you pray.
You don't give up because Goddoes not abandon his children.
And I know, you know, I knowfor me, and I I believe for
Ricky as well, that there is alegacy of faith that God honors.
(08:40):
Yeah, I had praying parents, Ihad to pray as for as
dysfunctional as they were, theylifted their hearts up on my
behalf.
Ron Meyers (08:48):
I've had many guests tell me that they know they are
alive today because of theprayers of their mothers or
grandmothers.
And so prayer is veryimportant, isn't it?
Lisa Charlton (09:00):
I remember at my mother's funeral, there was a
nun that taught me she knew inelementary school, and she was
so glad to see me doing well,you know, and she said, I have
calluses on my knees praying foryou.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
Wow.
Lisa Charlton (09:19):
That your mother asked me to pray for you.
And I believe that.
I believe God honors that.
He doesn't see religion, hedoes, he's not Baptist, he's not
Catholic, he's not, but hesearches the hearts of people,
and you know, the pure prayersget answered.
And so I would say to somebody,you know, reach out for help
(09:39):
and know that there's hope.
This is not a, you know, I wasnot a bad person trying to get
good, I was a sick person tryingto get well, you know, and
Jesus said, I did not come forthe well, I came for the sick.
And so there's a lot of comfortin that.
There's a lot of where I canjust drop my guard and and say,
(10:02):
Okay, here I am.
I need all the help I can getfrom you.
And he really is the only onewho can bring that about.
However, he does it.
God uses, he's got peopletucked all over the place doing
his will, and they're the mostrandom people.
Ron Meyers (10:19):
Right.
Yeah, I agree.
Well, you did a good job.
Lisa Charlton (10:23):
I think it's wonderful what you're doing.
Ron Meyers (10:25):
Yeah, you're a happy person.
I like that.
Lisa Charlton (10:27):
I am very happy.
I actually had a double lungtransplant two years ago.
You had a double lungtransplant?
Yes, two years ago.
I was still working at the homeof graves.
My goodness.
And I I told Shaleensomething's not right, and I had
to find out what was wrong, andI was diagnosed with the
terminal illness in 2020 and wasput in on Oshner's program.
(10:53):
I wasn't expecting that.
You know, it brought me a levelof wow dependence on God that
I've never had to have before.
You know, I've always been afighter, I'm a survivor, but
there was no relying on myselfin this.
(11:14):
You've got to be sick enough tobe put on the list, but you've
got to be well enough to survivethe surgery.
Ron Meyers (11:21):
And the transplant can only come from somebody else
that had died, right?
Yes.
Lisa Charlton (11:27):
I was you've got to, you know, there, you've got
to go through a whole battery oftests and and you've got to
stay monitored.
And so my blood match, they doa what's called a panoreactive
antibody test, and they put thatinto their donor thing and see
who you're compatible with.
And I was only compatible, Iwould only be compatible with 8%
(11:51):
of the lungs availablenationwide.
I got put on their list inOctober, and by December, I was
on 10 liters of oxygencontinuously.
And so she told me, we're gonnasend you out to Baylor St.
Luke's in Texas, or you're notgonna make it.
And so I went out there, andyou know, you gotta do tests and
(12:13):
get put on their list.
Within seven days, they calledme for lungs.
And we went to the hospital,and you know, they immediately
start, the family all startedcoming in, and the doctor came
in and he said, I just want totell you that we got your lungs
this morning.
And he said, because theymeasure your cavity, chest
(12:38):
cavity, they all day longthey're doing stuff.
And he said, I just want to letyou know size-wise, it's a
perfect fit.
Wow.
And he said, the blood typematching is virtually a perfect
match.
And he said, What I'm saying toyou is this is nothing less
than a miracle.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
Wow.
Lisa Charlton (13:00):
And he said, We're gonna, you know, we're
gonna get you transplantedtoday.
So I was like, What?
All I kept saying was.
Ron Meyers (13:08):
So you're you're on oxygen because you could hardly
breathe, and now you hear thatyou're gonna have a whole new
life.
Lisa Charlton (13:18):
I mean they take you to a little room and the
doctors come up and get you.
And when I sat down in thechair, and I've got a picture of
it.
When I sat down in that chair,a silver cross popped up.
It must have fallen.
Wow.
A silver cross popped up andliterally leaned it on my leg.
(13:41):
Wow.
And my brother-in-law took mebecause my sister had just flown
out that morning for herdaughter's baby shower in
upstate New York.
And so my poor brother-in-lawhad to take me.
And he said, What is that?
I said, Phil, it's a cross.
Speaker 4 (13:59):
It's a cross.
Lisa Charlton (14:00):
And I started crying.
He said, I he said, What doesit say?
And it said, God loves you.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
Wow.
Lisa Charlton (14:08):
And so through the whole thing, I was he was
with you.
Oh, I didn't know if I wasgonna survive it.
I didn't you are in such astate, not to mention the
overwhelming that you've gotsomebody else's who just died.
Ron Meyers (14:26):
Who just died?
Do they tell you anything aboutthe donor?
Lisa Charlton (14:32):
You can write their family and they pass it
on.
And if their family wants toget in touch with you, they
will.
And I've done that and I've notheard back.
And so I'm just gonna, youknow, respect that.
Sometimes, you know, they saidsometimes it's too painful.
Ron Meyers (14:48):
Do you ever just sometimes think when you you
know, drinking a cup of coffeejust by yourself?
That I have somebody else.
Lisa Charlton (14:57):
Oh, it's constant.
Ron Meyers (14:58):
It's constant.
Probably never wow.
Lisa Charlton (15:00):
And I had, you know, before this happened, I
knew that somebody, you know,somebody was gonna have to die
so that I could live.
Yeah, I don't know if it was mywas making it up or what.
But I just had this vision ofthis girl with long blonde hair
(15:21):
on the top of a hill, and therewas nothing but white in front
of her.
And she just would look back atme with a look.
And I felt in my heart thatthat was my donor.
I just felt, and I knew, youknow, that's what I was saying.
You can't, this is a wholenother level of surrender.
Ron Meyers (15:40):
So when you talk to people about God, you can go to
a deeper level that none of usunderstand because you are a
miracle.
Because you are literally awalking living miracle.
I really am.
Wow, no wonder you have suchgood faith.
What a story.
Lisa Charlton (16:00):
Well, you ever think, ask yourself, Lord, why
me?
Yes, I have over and over, andI've just come to the
conclusion, and this is why thisis why you can give somebody
hope.
Is because when I look back onhow hard it's been for me to be
(16:21):
healed of all the things thathave made me me, all the bad
choices, all the bad decisions,you know, many of them were just
out of desperation, jumpingfrom one mess I made to another
mess I made.
And somehow or another, God hasbeen faithful to my prayers.
And my prayers were just, God,please help me.
(16:43):
Please don't give up on me.
And when I look back on allthat, you know, there's nothing
that makes sense other than thefact that God loves me.
That's it.
Because I did everything Icould to mess it up over and
over and over, just out of myown brokenness, out of my own,
(17:03):
just like I said, I'm none of usare bad people trying to get
good.
We're sick people trying to getwell.
And that's the good news isthat Jesus said, I did not come
for the well, I came for thesick.
Ron Meyers (17:16):
So now someone listening, they just need hope.
Give them some hope.
Yeah, there's hope.
Lisa Charlton (17:21):
I mean, I'm sitting here, you know, as like
I said, we have this morning,Ricky and I were talking, and I
said, you know, the bottom lineis by God's grace and mercy, I
have outran and outlived all ofmy vices, all the sins that
would destroy me.
No, none of the weapons thathave been formed against me have
been able to prosper.
(17:42):
And that's only all I did waspray.
That's all I did was pray andshow up wherever God led me.
Ron Meyers (17:50):
Well, the title of my show is called Get the Hell
Out of Your Life.
So I'm gonna ask you how does aperson get the hell out of
their life?
Lisa Charlton (18:00):
One event at a time.
Ron Meyers (18:02):
One event at a time.
Lisa Charlton (18:03):
And you offer the best that you have to God, and
that is enough.
He will take that and he willmold you, and he will, you know,
like it says, the greatrefiner, he sits over our lives
like a refiner, and he'll turnthe heat up a little bit and
pull some of that dross off andlet it cool down, and then he'll
(18:23):
put the fire back up again.
And then, you know, the thesaying that when when he's done,
he can look in the and see hisreflection.
Ron Meyers (18:33):
Wow.
And before we go, will you prayfor the listeners out there?
Lisa Charlton (18:37):
You bet, you bet.
Well, Heavenly Father, I thankyou so much for every ear that
is coming under our voice.
And God, I thank you that yourgrace and your love and your
mercy would pour through andspeak to those who are lost, who
are confused, who are hurting,who feel alone, who are
desperate, God.
I thank you for thewonderfulness of your Son Jesus
(19:02):
Christ and the story ofredemption that he brings to all
of our lives.
And Father, what a beautifuljourney it is.
That suffering does not have tobe an ugly thing.
It doesn't have to end ugly,that there is a wonderful beauty
that comes from it when wesurrender our lives to you and
(19:22):
our hearts to you.
And so, Father, I thank youthat you would touch the hearts
of those listening and thatsomehow your message of hope and
love and restoration gets sentforth in Jesus' holy name.
Amen.
Ron Meyers (19:40):
Wow.
You know there are interviewsyou enjoy, and then there are
interviews that stay with youlong after the microphones are
turned off.
This is one of thoseconversations.
Lisa's story forces us to stopand think about something most
of us avoid.
Life is fragile.
Every breath is a gift, andsometimes we don't recognize the
(20:04):
value of breath until we'restruggling to take one.
What struck me the most was theemotional tension she carries,
gratitude that she's alive whilealso knowing someone else lost
their life so she could receivethose lungs.
That's heavy.
That changes you.
(20:25):
But isn't that also the gospel?
Jesus willingly laid down hislife so we could live eternally.
Not because we earn it, notbecause we are perfect, but
because love stepped into ourbrokenness and made a way.
And maybe today you feelspiritually out of breath.
(20:50):
Addiction, fear, shame,anxiety, regret.
Maybe life has knocked the windout of you.
Friend, hear me clearly.
There is still hope for you.
Hope is spelled J E S U S.
Lisa also reminded us thatrecovery is rarely instant.
(21:13):
Healing usually happens oneevent at a time, one decision at
a time, one prayer at a time,one surrender at a time.
And if someone you love isstruggling right now, don't give
up on them.
Keep reaching, keep praying,keep shining light into dark
(21:36):
places.
Sometimes people survivebecause somebody refused to stop
believing in them.
That's what this show is allabout.
Encouraging and empoweringpeople to believe that with God,
your worst chapter does nothave to be your final chapter.
(21:58):
I will be back in a minute.
And close out today's show.
Announcer (22:02):
You're listening to Get the Hell Out of Your Life
with your host, Ron Myers.
Real stories, real struggles,and real hope.
Speaker 3 (22:13):
Here's a refreshing word just for you today from
Matthew 6.33.
But seek first his kingdom andhis righteousness, and all these
things will be given to you aswell.
A refreshing word for you fromGod's Word.
Speaker 4 (22:29):
Jesus, Jesus.
What do you think of when youhear that name?
Jesus, Jesus.
Love, life, hope, joy, joy,peace, friend, companion,
confident, savior.
The God of the universe lives.
And he lives in the form of aman.
(22:50):
That man is Jesus Christ.
For God so loved the world thathe gave his only son, that
whosoever believes in him shallhave eternal life.
Jesus.
What will you do with him?
He knocks on the door of yourheart.
When you open that door, yourlife will change.
Forever.
(23:12):
It came that the world may havelife and may have it more
abundantly.
Ask Jesus into your heart anddiscover what living is all
about.
Call 1-888-NeedM.
Speaker 2 (23:43):
Get the hell out of your life.
Get the hell out of your life.
Ron Meyers (23:51):
My friend, before we leave today, I want you to
think about this.
You and I are only oneheartbeat away from eternity.
That's not meant to scare you.
It's meant to wake you up.
Lisa's story reminds us howprecious life really is.
Every breath matters.
(24:11):
Every day matters.
Every decision matters.
Every person listening matters.
And maybe today you've beenspiritually suffocating, trying
to carry pain by yourself,trying to outrun your past,
trying to numb the hurt, tryingto be strong while falling apart
(24:32):
inside.
My friend, listen to this.
Jesus did not come to condemnyou.
He came to save you so youcould live.
The cross was not the end ofthe story.
The resurrection power provedthat death, addiction, shame,
fear, and hopelessness do notget the final word.
(24:54):
Here are a few action steps youcan take away from today's
show.
One, if you need help, ask forit today.
Not next week, but today.
Number two, if someone you loveis struggling, reach out again
and again.
Don't stop believing.
Number three, go where thelight is, stay in the light,
(25:15):
stay around healthy people,healthy places, healthy voices.
Number four, stop letting yourpast define your future.
God has an awesome plan forthose who follow Him.
Number five, remember holydoesn't mean perfect.
It means set apart for apurpose.
(25:36):
God can use broken people.
I know that for a fact becauseI was a broken individual living
on Misfit Island, and he cameand he rescued me.
In fact, most of the people heuses in Scripture were broken
first.
And maybe that's why you'relistening right now.
Maybe this isn't random.
(25:57):
Maybe God is reminding you thatyou still have a purpose, and
there's still breath in yourlungs for a reason.
I say this often because Ibelieve with all my heart.
Don't live on the island ofregrets.
You know what villages calledshould have, would have, and
could have, because it's nevertoo late for a new beginning.
(26:18):
You know, this show is producedespecially for non-churchgoers,
for people who have been hurt,disappointed, or pushed away
from faith.
My goal is simple to brag onJesus and remind you that grace
is bigger than your past.
Grace is bigger than all yourmistakes.
And remember this someone diedso you could live, both
(26:41):
physically in Lisa's story andspiritually through Jesus
Christ.
If today's episode has touchedyou, share it with someone that
needs some encouragement, somehope.
I will be back next week withanother grace-filled episode of
Get the Hell Out of Your Life,available wherever you listen to
(27:01):
podcast.
Until next time, this is RonMyers reminding you keep
breathing in grace.
And remember, life with Jesusis pretty cool.
Try it.
Announcer (27:25):
Today's show was produced by Ron Myers
Ministries, a listener-supportedministry.
For a copy of today'sbroadcast, please visit our
website, thepromoter.org.
And would you prayerfullyconsider making a tax deductible
donation so that we maycontinue to share stories of
God's amazing grace with theworld?
And join us next week foranother broadcast of Get the
(27:46):
Hell Out of Your Life.
Real people, sharing realstruggles, and offering real
hope.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Betrayal Weekly
Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com