Enduring the Shame

"Let us fix our eyes on JESUS, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before HIM endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of GOD. Consider HIM who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:2

Dear Praying Friends,

It was just a normal family night, something the Ezzo's (www.gfi.org) encouraged us to do in our Growing Kid's God's Way classes years ago, to set aside one night of the week for doing something together as a family. But it wasn't just a normal family night to me...it had been several months since my husband had felt like playing Ping-Pong with us upstairs in the "playroom." Actually, it was his first time to go upstairs in our house in many months since having had trouble with his hip, and having it replaced. So, last Monday night was special and how thankful we are to GOD for the progress Johnny has made in his mobility...we sure are thankful for all of your prayers for him. After making chili, and eating together, we all went upstairs to play Ping-Pong. It's amazing how good the kids have gotten:)...i think John Mac beat everyone, and Hannah Beth wasn't far behind. She humbled me playing foosball, even skunking me-that was before she hurt her wrist in karate on Tuesday...the doctor could not tell if it's cracked or not, but please pray it will heal soon...she has Bible drill coming up and it's hard to turn the pages quickly with a bad wrist:). After we came down from upstairs, we enjoyed a cherry pie I had made earlier and topped it off with ice cream. Johnny suggested we watch a documentary he had recorded on John Adams, our second President. That suggestion went over like a "ton of bricks" including me:), but it was actually very good, and i even watched it on the big TV:)...which i am thankful.
I did not remember a lot about John Adams from studying him with the kids somewhere along the way in our homeschooling, but i did remember that he and his wife had a very close relationship and they wrote each other letters when he was away at the Continental Congress...i didn't realize that it was over the course of almost 10 years-wow. I later looked them up in "America's GOD and Country Book" and saw that they very definitely were CHRISTians, and their letters to each other are filled with reverences for their faith in GOD and love for one another. On October 16, 1774, Abigail Adams wrote to John Adams just prior to the outbreak of war with Great Britain " I dare not express to you, at three hundred miles distance, how ardently I long for your return...And whether the end will be tragical, Heaven only knows. You cannot be, I know, not do I wish to see you an inactive spectator; but if the sword be drawn, I bid adieu to all domestic felicity, and look forward to that country where there are neither wars nor rumors of war, in a firm belief that through the mercy of its KING we shall both rejoice there together...Your most affectionate, Abigail Adams. On June 18, 1775, in the middle of the battle with Britain she wrote to her husband, "The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; but the GOD of Israel is HE that giveth strength and power unto HIS people. Trust in HIM at all times, ye people, pour out your hearts before HIM, GOD is a refuge for us...Almighty GOD, cover the heads of our countrymen, and be a shield to our dear friends...Abigail Adams." As we watched this documentary, i was impressed with the intimacy of John and Abigail's marriage, and also John Adams desire for justice whether it be on the American's side, or Great Britain. He was a tenacious lawyer and defended some British soldiers early on when they were falsely accused by some rioting Americans.
But something later on in the documentary, totally surprised me, and touched my heart. There was a part in the movie where a man who was standing up for the British was carried away by an American mob in a rage of their fury. They stripped him and tarred and feathered him, and it was very graphic...including the stripping part. My husband had warned us, and Hannah Beth turned her head, but i sat there and watched it and it was very painful to see them tearing his clothes off, all of them, and pour hot tar over this man. Later on, maybe even the next day, i was thinking about how humiliating and painful that was for that man, and somewhere in my thoughts, i thought how humiliating, embarrassing and painful it must have been for my LORD JESUS CHRIST to have been stripped naked and crucified on a wooden cross for you and me...HE took the punishment that i deserved. Matthew 27:28 says, "They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on HIM." Later in John 19:23 it says, "when the soldiers crucified JESUS, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares..." Luke 23:34 JESUS said, "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." and they divided up his clothes by casting lots." We have just come through celebrating Easter, but something about that scene in the movie, made JESUS crucifixion more real to me." My heart is so grateful to my precious SAVIOR who suffered that shame and pain for me...and being stripped of your clothes, beaten to a pulp, and hanging naked on a cross is shameful and humiliating.
What does this have to do with me now...i've read about JESUS crucifixion in the gospel's over and over, yet something about this movie made it more personal and real to me...seeing that angry mob strip that man naked and thinking of my JESUS suffering that for me when "HE could have called 10,000 angels" to rescue him and slew all those who were doing these evil things to HIM. But JESUS knew why HE had come into this world, HE came to die for my sins and yours...and thankfully, 3 days later, it was also GOD's plan that HE conquer death and HE was raised from the dead that we might have eternal life..."But as many as received HIM, to them gave HE power to become sons of GOD, even to them that believe on HIS name." John 1:12.
JESUS set an example in the way HE suffered that HE told us to follow in 1 Peter 2:19-24, when it says, "For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of GOD...but if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before GOD. To this you were called, because CHRIST suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in HIS steps. HE committed no sin, and no deceit was found in HIS mouth." When they hurled their insults at HIM, HE did not retaliate; when HE suffered, HE made no threats. Instead, HE entrusted HIMself to HIM who judges justly. HE HIMself bore our sins in HIS body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by HIS wounds you have been healed." JESUS died for "the broken ones," you and me, and by HIS suffering we have been healed from our sin, when we trust HIM as our LORD and SAVIOR.
I sure wish I would have remembered those words last week, when someone insulted someone i love and then me, and i got so mad at them...i forgot to follow CHRIST's example and i got angry instead of forgiving and "entrusting myself to the ONE who judges justly." Mine was a little thing, but i have people in my life that i love dearly that are facing much bigger issues of unjust suffering. One person is being unjustly accused at work and is in danger of loosing their job. Another person, Dr. William Rea,(www.ehcd.com) has been caring for " the broken ones" for many, many years and has endured much scorn from others in the medical profession for the way he practices medicine. He is under fire from the Texas Medical Board and is in danger of loosing his license. I asked you several weeks ago to pray for him, and just wanted to remind you... I was reminded myself of the battles he is facing when he was on Nightline last week. Dr. Rea is world renowned in his field of Environmental Medicine. He was trained as a surgeon, but when he became sick from gases, pesticides, and other chemicals, GOD redirected his medical practice and taught him to care for "the broken ones,"- ones whose health problems baffled most doctors. Instead of these doctors being grateful, the Texas Medical Board is trying to strip him of his license to practice medicine. He is very much going through some unjust suffering and i would ask you to please keep Dr. Rea in your prayers. He has helped so many people recover their health and be set free from the "chains of sickness" that had engulfed our bodies. He has been a "champion" for the ones like me whose health has been broken by chemicals, mold, antibiotics, and other things in our environment making us sick. I tried many, many doctors and remedies before the LORD led me to Dr. Rea and his clinic, and it was there that GOD began to teach me the tools i needed to restore my health. It's our turn to stand in the gap for Dr. Rea, who has "laid down his life for us," who had endured his own cross, and the shame that has gone with it. I am so thankful that GOD has raised Dr. Rea up to fight for those whom others would cast away. I am asking you to join me in praying for Dr. Rea that GOD would give him peace, strength, and wisdom, as he suffers for doing good and help Dr Rea to endure this suffering. And also that he would "entrust himself to the ONE who judges justly, and know that "The LORD is his Rock, Fortress, and Deliverer...my GOD in whom I take refuge," Psalm 18:2. Psalm 37:39-40 says, "The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; HE is their stronghold in time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; HE delivers them from the wicked and saves them because they take refuge in HIM." Just as the GOD had a plan and purpose for JESUS' suffering, shame, and resurrection, enabling us to be free from our bondage of sin, the LORD has a plan for Dr. Rea's suffering. GOD will be faithful to deliver him through this battle as HE has done many times in the past and will bring forth new life for the cause of those suffering from environmental illness. Who knows what other good will come out of his battle's but the LORD?

Last week, our family was so blessed to have Tony and Taranda Greene, Brad Hudson, and John Jeffrey's eat with us at our restaurant (www.oldgreenbrier.com) before they sang in Hartselle last Friday night. We had a great time with them, catching up and laughing together. I am reminded once again, what an amazing GOD i serve who delights in giving me my hearts desires. This was the first time the Greene's have eaten at our restaurant, and what a blessing it was to have them...and a long time desire in my heart. They drove out of their way to eat with us and gave up their afternoon of rest, which is a very big deal when you're 9 months pregnant which Taranda is and we appreciate their sacrifice so much. She has had a long hard 9 months on the road with her pregnancy, and i'd sure appreciate you remembering the Greene's next Wed as Taranda is scheduled to deliver Jocelyn Ruth, their second baby girl, by C-section. As we were visiting with them, Taranda shared something with me, that i was just amazed that GOD had done. She had no idea when she was sharing with me, that what she was telling me was an answer to a prayer and heart's desire that i had prayed just a few weeks ago. I was amazed and still am, at GOD's power, HIS creativity, bringing the Greene's to our restaurant from Charlotte N.C. and then HIM winking at me and saying," See i did hear your prayer and answer it, even many many miles away. Would you please continue to remember Tim, Tony's brother in your prayers? Tim continues to have complications from his immune system not functioning well, and has been struggling with pneumonia, among other things. GOD in HIS grace, has led Tim and his wife,Amy to start a church at Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. ..Tim is pastoring again, praise the LORD! The Greene's (www.thegreenesgospel.com) blessed the fire out of our hearts Friday night as they sang, "Without the Cross," "Redeemer," "GOD on the Mountain," ,"Sky Full of Angels", "All for Me," and several other songs so beautifully. Even though i used "All for Me" a few months ago, i felt led as i wrote this to use the powerful words this week because it just fits what i've shared above about the shame CHRIST went through for you and me on the cross. "If i had been the only one, HE would have done it still for love...What grace untold what love indeed, all for me, all for me. "
With all HIS love,
mitzi

"All For Me" by Jason Burton

A crown of thorns upon YOUR head.
Where one of gold should go instead.
Pressing down until YOU bled.
All for me, All for me.

Bruised and beaten by the crowd.
Mocked and scorned they led you out.
Grief and pain was all you found.
All for me, all for me.

Chorus:
If I had been the only one
You would have done it still for love
What grace untold what love indeed
All for me, all for me

Blood flowed down
Your wounded side
The people laughed
Your FATHER cried
The SON of GOD laid down to die
All for me, all for me

YOUR body weak and wracked with pain
The sinless one the KING of KINGS
Hung on a cross between two thieves
All for me, All for me

You took the chains so I'd go free,
All for me, All for me,
The spotless LAMB became unclean
All for me, All for me.


P.S. Last week, i shared about the role of the older women teaching the younger women...my sister-in-law shared this powerful video with me this week of a 92 year old woman who is a wonderful example to all of us. Thanks, Cheryl for sharing this with me...

Click the link for a powerful testimony:

YouTube - Elderly woman witnesses to man trying to rob her

An Easter Story/"A Living Prayer"

"...Why do you look for the living among the dead? HE is not here; HE has risen!" Luke 24:5-6

"If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." I Corinthians 15:19-20.



Dear Friends,
Thank you so much for your precious prayers on our behalf and my behalf for the ladies retreat with our homeschool group, Excalibur, last weekend at Desota State Park. I included a few pictures above of beautiful Desota Falls, Little River Canyon, my dear friend Louise Todd who took care of me all weekend (she gained a greater appreciation for my husband:) , and some special gals from the retreat i got to know last weekend. GOD answered your prayers "exceedingly abundantly" with HIS power and presence upon us, kept us safe through the storms, and blessed the socks off of all us through the testimonies and love of the older and younger women there. HE even kept me so busy involved in hillbilly skits..."Oh, we're not the kind to go around spreading rumors...", playing and singing with Melinda Quinn and her girls who did a beautiful job leading us in praise songs and hymns, visiting and praying with other women... that i didn't go hiking once ( so He answered that prayer too-the woods didn't bother me:).
Thank you, Kathy Bond and Billie Sue for your wonderful leadership, love, and examples to us of being godly, older women. Thank you for taking time to encourage us who are coming behind you. Thank you, Tenise, for being such a fireball, and dragging me to see Desota Falls when i really needed to rest, but so glad you took me-it was the prettiest i had ever seen it due to all the rain the night before. Thank you the rest of the retreat team for working so hard and being such a blessing to me and everyone there. The theme of the retreat was from Titus 2 about the older women teaching the younger women to "love their husbands, children, be self-controlled, pure, etc, busy at home, kind, and to be subject to their husbands so that no one will malign the word of GOD." Well, to say i have been tested in that this week, and failed would be an understatement, but that's not the point of this email:).
This time of year is incredibly special to me because the LORD JESUS CHRIST reached down and saved me from the miry pit of sin i was in when i was 19 years old on April 3, 1982. A few days later, April 11, on Easter Sunday, I was baptized at Central Baptist Church in Decatur, Al. Mine was a dramatic conversion, and i felt the load of my sin, lifted off of me when the blood of CHRIST washed over me, and cleansed me to be "white as snow."
It wasn't long after CHRIST came into my life that GOD raised up godly women to encourage me in my walk with CHRIST...my Mother had read Bible stories to me and modeled for me a life of goodness to me and my 3 brothers and one sister since i was a child. My sister, Jill, who is six years older than me, used to make me read the "Upper Room" devotion book with her each night in bed and say prayers with her and she was a tremendous example to me in the way she helped my Mom clean cook, and doing the things i spent a lot of effort trying to avoid as a child.
As a CHRISTian, GOD has brought many older women to encourage me and disciple me, including Anne Marie Ezzo. We met Anne Marie and her husband Gary, in Richardson, Texas when Johnny was in seminary during the latter part of the 1980's. They were sharing there parenting principles at a Shepherd's Conference that John MacArthur was leading. We didn't have any children then, but GOD HE knew how much we desperately needed to be taught to be the parent's we needed to be to the children HE had planned for us in the future. GOD has used Gary and Anne Marie not only to be such a tremendous blessing to us in our parenting, but to thousands of parents and families throughout the world who have been blessed by their teaching based on Biblical principals. (www.growingkids.org, www.gfi.org) Anne Marie and i have stayed in contact through the years through email, as it's probably been over 10 years since we've seen each other in person, and through praying for one another. What a special blessing from the LORD she is to me as she continues to share her wisdom, her love, and her life with me...she has a very gracious way of speaking into your life when you need correction:).
She passed on the following story to the Growing Kids "family" this week about Easter and i wanted to share it with you, my dear praying friends and family. She said she wasn't sure if the following "Easter" story is true or not but it is a beautiful story, passed on to her by a friend from Georgia. Thank you, Anne Marie, for sharing it with me and the GFI family. I pray that you along with me, will take time these next few days to think about the agony of CHRIST's suffering and death for your sins and mine, HIS burial, and HIS glorious resurrection from the dead. This is the Gospel and to all who believe in HIM, HE gives eternal life... "For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only SON that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16.



THE STORY OF EDITH BURNS...
Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in

San Antonio, Texas. She was the patient of a doctor

by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a

gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His

favorite patient was Edith Burns.



One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart

and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked

into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big

black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young

mother sitting beside her.



Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in

this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you

believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the

meaning of Easter, and many times people would be

saved.



Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he

saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met

Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith

began by saying, "My name is Edith Burns. Do you

believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do.

"Edith said, "Well, what do you believe about

Easter?" Beverly said, "Well, it's all about egg

hunts, going to church, and dressing up. "Edith

kept pressing her about the real meaning of Easter,

and finally led her to a saving knowledge of Jesus

Christ.



Dr. Phillips said, "Beverly, don't call Edith into

the office quite yet. I believe there is another

delivery taking place in the waiting room. After

being called back in the doctor's office, Edith sat

down and when she took a look at the doctor she

said, "Dr. Will, why are you so sad? Are you

reading your Bible? Are you praying?" Dr. Phillips

said gently, "Edith, I'm the doctor and you're the

patient." With a heavy heart he said, "Your lab

report came back and it says you have cancer, and

Edith, you're not going to live very long."



Edith said, "Why Will Phillips, shame on you. Why

are you so sad? Do you think God makes mistakes?

You have just told me I'm going to see my precious

Lord Jesus, my husband, and my friends. You have

just told me that I am going to celebrate Easter

Forever, and here you are having difficulty giving

me my ticket!" Dr. Phillips thought to himself,

"What a magnificent woman this Edith Burns is!"

Edith continued coming to Dr. Phillips. Christmas

came and the office was closed through January 3rd.

On the day the office opened, Edith did not show up.

Later that afternoon, Edith called Dr. Phillips

and said she would have to be moving her story to

the hospital and said, "Will, I'm very near home, so

would you make sure that they put women in here next

to me in my room who need to know about Easter.

"Well, they did just that and women began to come in

and share that room with Edith. Many women were

saved. Everybody on that floor from staff to

patients were so excited about Edith, that they

started calling her Edith Easter; that is everyone

except Phyllis Cross, the head nurse.



Phyllis made it plain that she wanted nothing to do

with Edith because she was a "religious nut". She

had been a nurse in an army hospital. She had seen

it all and heard it all. She was the original G.I.

Jane. She had been married three times, she was

hard, cold, and did everything by the book.



One morning the two nurses who were to attend to

Edith were sick. Edith had the flu and Phyllis Cross

had to go in and give her a shot. When she walked

in, Edith had a big smile on her face and said,

"Phyllis, God loves you and I love you, and I have

been praying for you. "Phyllis Cross said, "Well,

you can quit praying for me, it won't work. I'm not

interested." Edith said, "Well, I will pray and I

have asked God not to let me go home until you come

into the family. "Phyllis Cross said, "Then you

will never die because that will never happen, "and

curtly walked out of the room.



Every day Phyllis Cross would walk into the room and

Edith would say, "God loves you Phyllis and I love

you, and I'm praying for you. "One day Phyllis

Cross said she was literally drawn to Edith's room

like a magnet would draw iron. She sat down on the

bed and Edith said, "I'm so glad you have come,

because God told me that today is your special day.

"Phyllis Cross said, "Edith, you have asked

everybody here the question, "Do you believe in

Easter? "but you have never asked me. "Edith said,

"Phyllis, I wanted to many times, but God told me to

wait until you asked, and now that you have asked.

"Edith Burns took her Bible and shared with Phyllis

Cross the Easter Story of the death, burial and

resurrection of Jesus Christ. Edith said, "Phyllis,

do you believe in Easter? Do you believe that Jesus

Christ is alive and that He wants to live in your

heart? "Phyllis Cross said, "Oh I want to believe

that with all of my heart, and I do want Jesus in my

life. "Right there, Phyllis Cross prayed and

invited Jesus Christ into her heart. For the first

time Phyllis Cross did not walk out of a hospital

room, she was carried out on the wings of angels.



Two days later, Phyllis Cross came in and Edith

said, "Do you know what day it is? "Phyllis Cross

said, "Why Edith, it's Good Friday. "Edith said,

"Oh, no, for you every day is Easter. Happy Easter

Phyllis! "Two days later, on Easter Sunday, Phyllis

Cross came into work, did some of her duties and

then went down to the flower shop and got some

Easter lilies because she wanted to go up to see

Edith and give her some Easter lilies and wish her a

Happy Easter.



When she walked into Edith's room, Edith was in bed.

That big black Bible was on her lap. Her hands

were in that Bible. There was a sweet smile on her

face. When Phyllis Cross went to pick up Edith's

hand, she realized Edith was dead. Her left hand

was on John 14: "In my Father's house are many

mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, I will

come again and receive you to Myself, that where I

am, there you may be also. "Her right hand was on

Revelation 21:4, "And God will wipe away every tear

from their eyes, there shall be no more death nor

sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain,

for the former things have passed away."



Phyllis Cross took one look at that dead body, and

then lifted her face toward heaven, and with tears

streaming down here cheeks, said, "Happy Easter,

Edith - Happy Easter!" Phyllis Cross left Edith's

body, walked out of the room, and over to a table

where two student nurses were sitting. She said, "My

name is Phyllis Cross. Do you believe in Easter?"







A dear "little" sister in the LORD from our church, 17 year old Sarah Cobb, also sent me an email this week and encouraged me tremendously. After the mountain top experience at the retreat, i was down in the "valley," even the next day. GOD used Sarah to encourage this older woman who had no idea what i was wrestling with through her encouraging words and she shared the video below with me. What a blessing it has been to me this week as i have watched it and listened to it over and over. Alison Kraus sings so beautifully "A Living Prayer," which is what the lady in the story above lived as she shared CHRIST's love and HIS unspeakable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15) of eternal life with those she met. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9upE_PGJVq8

Each one of the ladies I have mentioned in this email are "A Living Prayer", saved and kept by the blood and power of our LORD JESUS CHRIST who rose from the dead. It is "CHRIST in them," that empowers and motivates them to love and invest their lives in the women coming behind them. Women, like my little sister Sarah, whom GOD used to bless me this week, need the wisdom of those who have walked with CHRIST a little farther down the road than she has walked to teach her and encourage her. Women like me, who in my mid forties, have learned many lessons from those who have gone before me have been instructed in Titus 2 to take time to share those things with women walking behind me...we aren't born with the knowledge to do everything, it has to be taught, and this is GOD's plan of passing on wisdom to each other...older women teaching the younger women. I have many more things to learn from those of you who have walked with CHRIST a little farther down the road than i have walked. Thank you, for each of you who are "A Living Prayer" to me and those around you. CHRIST lives and breathes HIS life into each of us who know HIM as LORD and SAVIOR and makes our lives "A Living Prayer," as we follow HIM in obedience...obedience that means death to self, "I am crucified with CHRIST and it is no longer i who live but CHRIST who lives in me," Galatians 2:20.



Dear LORD JESUS,

Thank YOU, so much for dying on the cross for my sins and thank YOU that the tomb is empty!! I praise YOU that YOU rose from the dead, and "Because YOU live, I can face tomorrow," and look forward to living with YOU for all eternity. We celebrate YOUR life today and every day, and thank YOU for YOUR life that gives us life abundantly. Thank YOU for choosing me to be YOUR child, forgiving me each day in my failures and empowering me with YOUR Resurrection power in the victories that YOU give me...thank you that "YOUR mercies are new every morning." Thank you so much for the older and younger women YOU have brought into my life to be "A Living Prayer" to me. Help my life to be "A Living Prayer", and help me to die to self, that others may see "the JESUS in me" and be drawn closer to YOU. I love YOU, LORD. Amen.

With all HIS love and Happy Firstfruits(Easter),

mitzi

Please continue to remember my friend Ann and her family during these difficult days for them, and our friends JD and Gail Clanton. JD and Gail are longtime friends, she being another wonderful godly mentor to me and JD has been such a warrior for CHRIST in the public education arena for many years. JD has had Parkinson's for years and just found out this week he has extensive cancer in his body after falling and breaking his hip. Thank you so much for remembering these dear families in your prayers.

"GOD on the Mountain"

"O LORD, when YOU favored me, YOU made my mountain stand firm; but when YOU hid your face, I was dismayed....YOU turned my wailing into dancing, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my GOD, I will give you thanks forever." Psalm 30:7,11,12


Dear Praying Friends,
Please continue to remember in prayer this week my friend Ann and her family. Ann probably won't be with us much longer on earth...thank you for your prayers for her. Also, a 10 year old girl named Kennedy (http://www.caringbridge.org:80/visit/kennedypepper) from our town has recently been diagnosed with cancer and has begun treatments at St. Jude hospital in Memphis. ... please remember her and her family. I'll be spending the weekend at Desoto St. Park this weekend with around 75 other ladies at a ladies retreat and sure would covet your prayers for what GOD is going to do there, and ask you to remember our families at home who will be having a great time I'm sure:). Please pray that GOD will be lifted up and magnified in all that is said and done during this time and the days following. Thank you so much for your diligent prayers.

Earlier this week, Hannah Beth and I had the privilege to sing and play with our dulcimer group at the First Baptist Church in Athens, "Keenager" gathering...we were their entertainment that day:). Several weeks ago, Addie Ming had called and asked Jerry Todd if our group could come to their meeting. Several of the regulars, the "Varsity" as Coach Todd (he coached the Athens High Boys Basketball team for years) calls them were out of town at a dulcimer festival this week, so the LORD worked it out where Hannah Beth and I ( the junior varsity) could be there, along with Pam, our new "angel" friend. We joined Jerry, Louise, Roger and Charlie , (who are on the Varsity team) and Shirley who has only been playing a few weeks, We were so blessed to have Ed McCracken join us on fiddle that day. Ed and his wife, Martha are members of First Baptist, and Ed was the very first "Fiddle" king of the "Old Time Fiddler's Convention"( http://www.athens.edu/fiddlers/). In fact, his Dad started it many years ago at their home. Now folks come from all over the United States, including our dear friends from California, the Ferguson's, to the Fiddler's Convention held in our town each year the first weekend of October on the campus of Athens State University.
Jerry and Louise were out of town the previous days leading up to playing at First Baptist, so like most of the playings the dulcimer group does, we hadn't rehearsed much together ahead of time, and were pretty much winging it...this was the first time that this particular group had played together. I had asked Louise earlier about maybe singing "GOD on the Mountain," and she said, they'd be practicing it and to just play it by ear, so that's what we did. Somewhere along the way, after playing several fiddle tunes, and then playing while the "Keenagers" sang along with us several hymns , like "Old Country Church", "Farther Along," and "Jesus Loves Me," we got the nod to sing "GOD on the Mountain." Well, I don't know if you remember reading my past history with "GOD on the Mountain," but the last time i sang it in front of folks was at the assisted living home, by myself, and it was awful. I'm not kidding, or trying to put myself down and show false modesty...i started off on the wrong key, and kept it there, and i have only sang it once in public since then. I had put that song away because i lost confidence in being able to sing it, but Louise every once in a while would say, "I want to work on "GOD on the Mountain," and I'd think about it again. GOD brought Pam along, as i have shared with you, and she is able to sing harmony, and HE has used her to bring great comfort and confidence to me to help me sing and not be afraid. Hannah Beth suggested I ditch trying to play and concentrate on singing, and she, along with the others played and sang beautifully with GOD's grace. Our friends at First Baptist, that knew it, sang along with us and seemed to be so blessed by the words...the words are really powerful and everyone who hears them who's lived through any trials can relate to them.
This time at First Baptist was really special to me, because these people have loved Johnny and my family through the "mountain" top times and the times in the "valley" in many seasons of our lives. First Baptist is our home church and the church we joined when we were married. My husband grew up in this church and when we were newlyweds and young CHRISTians, GOD used these dear folks to love on us and nurture us and help us mature in the LORD. They were there for us, when we felt GOD calling us to be foreign missionaries and Johnny was ordained by them as a pastor. When we returned several years later, with my health broken, and we were in the restaurant business instead of being foreign missionaries, they loved us and supported us. They were there for us when i was trying to find out what was wrong with me after going to many doctors. One morning, back in November of 1998, as i was walking, the LORD put this thought in my mind, "Mitzi, you just need to humble yourself and put yourself on the church prayer list." I did after that and a few months later, after searching for years, GOD led me to the Environmental Health Clinic (www.ehcd) in Dallas, Texas, where HE began to bring healing to my body. I know that GOD answered the prayers of HIS children for me. Our church family loved us through that time when i was away from my husband and two young children for 6 1/2 weeks. They were so faithful to pray for us, cook for us, call, and sent me many, many cards while I was away in Texas. The LORD kept us there at First Baptist for the next six years, and when HE called us away it really was very difficult to leave these dear folks. We continue to remain friends with them and what a blessing it has been for me to be able to worship at First Baptist the past few weeks while they are painting at New Life Baptist where we now attend.
So, yes, the time with the our dear older friends at First Baptist last Monday was very special to me. Many of them sang along on "GOD on the Mountain," as we sang, and I knew that they too, knew what it was like to walk on the "mountain" with GOD, and then to walk through the "valley" with HIM. All of them in the room had had their own share of trials and struggles. There was Ed McCracken, the fiddle player, sitting beside me in a wheelchair. Just last May he had a malignant tumor removed from his lung, and had a blood clot. As a result of the blood clot, his left leg had to be amputated to save Ed's life...yes, Ed and his wife know the "GOD on the Mountain is still "GOD in the Valley." There was Addie Ming, so faithful to write me when i was in Texas for several weeks who had her own bought with cancer since then, and then Mr. Balch, who had developed some medical problems and had to stay in the nursing home for awhile...he was there with his wife doing so much better, they too know that "the GOD on the Mountain is still GOD in the Valley." The prayer requests at the beginning of our time together were evident of the "valleys", as GOD promises each of us in HIS word that we will have trials here on earth, "Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward." Job 5:7. What a blessing to be among our dear friends who had shared our "mountain" and "valley" experiences with us, and we have shared many with them...
After we ate an absolutely wonderful meal the ladies had prepared...black eyed peas, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, pear salad, broccoli salad, tons of desserts and other wonderful food i wanted to share with this group how much they had meant to our family. Larry Hicks, the minister to the adults, quietened everyone down, and the LORD gave me the courage to get up and tell those dear people how very much they had meant to us through the years and they continue to. I am so glad the LORD gave me the desire to do that, cause I wanted them to know their love, CHRIST loving us through them. has been so dear to us and helped us through the "valley" times and "mountain" times in our lives.
There is a verse i have thought about many times recently from 1 Thessalonians 3:10 that says "May the LORD give you the same increasing and overflowing love for each other and towards all men as we have towards you." My heart was certainly overflowing with love for our brothers and sisters in CHRIST at First Baptist remembering the love of CHRIST they have shown us through the years, and continue to. I have such admiration for this group of believer's knowing that a church family is like our own family, which has disagreements and ups and downs, but their love for CHRIST keeps them together, forgiving one another and loving each other and others like us. Even though we aren't currently members there, their love for us continues, and I am so grateful for GOD loving us through them. I am reminded of a verse in Philippians 1:9 when i think of these dear people..."That your love may abound yet more and more." Their sharing the " mountain" experiences of life and the "valley" experiences of life, and seeing GOD's faithfulness in each other lives has served to strengthen their faith and mine in the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
I do give GOD thanks for who HE is... and indeed HE is "the GOD on the mountain," and the "GOD in the valley." JESUS promised us in John 16:33, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." GOD is so gracious to give us the "mountain top" experiences, as well as the "valley" experiences to mature us in our faith, and help us to learn how very much HE loves us...and use us to be a blessing to others. HE used our church family at First Baptist to show us HIS love and grace during the "mountain" experiences of our lives, and the "valley" times and for that we are so thankful. I am thankful that HE has turned my "wailing into dancing" and that HE has given me strength and health and love in my heart for HIM to be able to play and sing for HIM and that is a tremendous blessing to me... though I'm not sure how much to others:). I give HIM thanks for the trials which HE has used to deepen my faith in HIM, to deepen my love for HIM and others, and a song in my heart to sing for HIM..."For the GOD on the mountain, is still GOD in the valley, when things go wrong, HE'll make them right...and the GOD of the good times, is still GOD in the bad times, the GOD of the day, is still GOD in the night."


With all my love,
mitzi

God On The Mountain

Life is easy when you're up on the mountain
And you've got peace of mind like you've never known.
But then things change and you're down in the valley.
Don't lose faith for you're never alone.

For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley.
When things go wrong, He'll make it right.
And the God of the good times
is still God in the bad times.
The God of the day is still God in the night.

You talk of faith when you're up on the mountain.
Oh but the talk comes easy when life's at its best.
But it's down in the valley of trials and temptation
That's when faith is really put to the test.

For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley.
When things go wrong, He'll make it right.
And the God of the good times
is still God in the bad times.
The God of the day is still God in the night.

For an extra special blessing you can watch Lynda Randall, who wrote "GOD on the Mountain" sing it by clicking on the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xipq208iNHg&feature=related

Loving "The Broken Ones"

"Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble." Psalm 41:1

Dear Praying Friends,

This past Monday morning, I drove Hannah Beth and her friend down to Montgomery to spend a week learning about the government with an organization called Teen Pact (www.teenpact.com). After I dropped them off near the Capitol, I headed back up the Interstate. On my way home, between Clanton and Prattville, Al, lies a community called Indian Grave, which is where my husband pastored Indian Grave Baptist Church for a little over two years back in the early 90's. We have many dear friends who live there, and last week, I asked you to pray for my friend Ann, who is struggling with cancer, struggling to the point that she is not receiving any more treatment. It had been almost a year since I had last seen her when she had so graciously opened her home up to me to spend the night after a Greene's concert down in Prattville. This time, to be honest, I was a little apprehensive about seeing her. I had heard that she was having a very difficult time, and I just didn't know exactly what to expect...what I didn't expect was the outpouring of GOD's grace and love to my own heart being in Ann's presence. Ann gave me permission to share about her and I wanted to share her life and love with you, my friends and family.

When I got there, Ann wasn't home, and I knew she was expecting me so I was a little concerned. I knew Ann wasn't driving these days, and I didn't know her brother from California was visiting her. The door was open as always, and I walked in and looked around and called out to her, but there was no answer and no Ann. In a few minutes, she and her brother came pulling up in the carport. Ann's brother opened her door from the passenger side, and the first thing I saw was a brace on her leg, and a smaller version of Ann than she was almost a year ago. As her brother helped her get her walker out of the car, I got a lap full of mail from her, and carried it in. Once inside, we hugged each other. My husband had sent them some ribs and chicken from the restaurant, so those had to be put up when I arrived. I felt really badly that Ann who had already been out with her brother, and was exhausted and in pain was now helping me rewrap the ribs that had gotten wet in the cooler. I couldn't get that job done fast enough, I wanted her to rest.

Ann's brother was so kind to share his time with his sister with me, and allowed Ann and me to visit for a good while while he went in the bedroom and made some phone calls and returned emails. Ann, though struggling physically, was very much the same gracious, hospitable Ann, who was the first to invite us into their home when we visited Indian Grave as a prospective pastor's family. She along with her husband Van, had had our family in her home, along with countless others, many times through the years. Ann taught me as a young pastor's wife, what it meant to be hospitable, not entertain, but to show folks you genuinely love them and open your home up to them no matter what the house looks like or what you have in the refrigerator-you just pull it out and share the leftovers. When we lived there, Ann's 3 kids were all growing up, active in sports, FFA, and many other activities at church and school, and they helped out on their beautiful cattle farm- it was always grand central station. Ann and her husband Van, always made you feel welcome, and just like now, their door was always open.

As she sat down, I helped her with her shoes off (I've had a lot of practice with that with my husband lately), and helped her get her leg that doesn't work so well any more up on the couch. There were several ace bandages lying there where Ann's husband's wraps her leg each night to keep it from swelling and to help reduce the severe pain she is in. Ann had her drink beside her sitting on her walker. As we got her situated then I took my seat close to the couch and we started talking. Ann asked about my family as is her way, to think of others. As I sat there, I realized I wanted to be closer to her, and moved to the chair at the foot of the couch. As I laid my head on the arm rest of the couch, i kept noticing Ann's feet, and wanted to ask her if she wanted me to rub them for her. That was really unusual for me, cause it's just not like me to ask to rub some else's feet...but I kept thinking about JESUS washing the disciples feet, and I wanted to do something for Ann to help her. I finally got up the nerve to ask her, and she told me a dear friend who was also in our church at Indian Grave came from school each day and rubbed her leg and foot. She guessed she would just wait on her. I just kept wanting to be closer to Ann, and finally I ask her if I could sit on the couch with her, and she said she'd really like that. I moved to the end of the couch where she was laying down and put her feet in my lap. I guess I asked her again since her feet were in my lap, I honestly can't remember, but somehow I started rubbing her painful foot and leg for her and she said it felt good. I rubbed her foot and bottom of her leg for the rest of the time I was there as we talked...a long time, just wanting to do something to make my friend feel better. Her friend who always comes after school to rub her foot and leg had to baby-sit her grandson that day, and didn't come by. I'm glad the LORD put it in my heart to be HIS hands for her that day.

As Ann and I visited, it was a really special time, sharing our hearts, sharing what CHRIST has been teaching each other( Faith was at the top of both of our lists) and sometimes just being quiet, but the conversation was very real and very genuine...not a lot of chit chat going on. There was a multitude of friends coming by to check on Ann throughout our visit, either through phone calls or stopping by, and eventually Ann's husband came home from work. I eased on out and returned later that evening while he was away at a meeting to stay with her. I had hoped we would have some more time to talk alone, but the LORD had other plans. A young teacher and friend from church stopped by some with some bad news about some health tests done on her. She knew that Ann would be a comfort to her, and she was...in the midst of her own physical brokenness, Ann was more than willing to be a shoulder to cry on, cried with her and was there for her in her brokenness. Here we were 3 women, 55ish and under, that GOD had brought together to love one another and comfort each other in our own set of brokenness...on a quiet Monday evening in Ann's home. When i was a young pastor's wife at Indian Grave, I was the one who was so sick and Ann always seemed so strong to me. Ann related to this young friend some of my struggles, and it seemed to make her feel better that she wasn't alone...and she wasn't, we were living proof of that sitting in that room. In a while, all too quickly, Ann's husband returned, and it was time for me to leave. Van so graciously walked me to the car and now I wish I had taken time to say something encouraging to him...but I didn't. Instead he thanked me for coming and staying with Ann and was so gracious.

I made the short drive to Mrs. Zelma's house where I was staying for the night. Mrs. Zelma and her husband were like grandparent's to our babies when we lived there, and Mrs. Zelma was and is a spiritual Mother to me. When I was going through such a difficult time with my health when John Mac was a baby, Mrs. Zelma was so faithful to "call back" and encourage me by sharing stories of how GOD had cared for her during difficult times in her life. She was always there for me and she and Mr. Warren were always so glad to keep the children for us. When my back was in severe pain, Mrs. Zelma would hold John Mac for me in church. Mrs. Zelma's husband went home to be with JESUS a couple of years ago, and she has missed him dearly, often saying it has been the most difficult thing she has ever been through.

I had already surprised Mrs. Zelma earlier in the evening by dropping in, plopping down and laying on her couch like I lived there. I felt so comfortable with Mrs. Zelma and always have...she is almost 85 now, and we discussed what we were going to have for supper since it was supper time. She said if she were by herself she would eat a ham sandwich and I told her that sounded great to me...so we enjoyed a ham sandwich together before I returned to Ann's. Ann had invited me to stay overnight at her house, but I knew she didn't need the extra on her, in addition to her brother staying there, and I wanted to be at Mrs. Zelma's...I just felt like that's where I was supposed to stay.

When I returned that evening from Ann's, Mrs. Zelma had the garage door open and light on and wanted me to park inside the garage beside her car which I did. She helped me get my things inside (she probably thought I was moving in with all my stuff), and I began to get ready for bed in her cozy house. Mrs. Zelma came in the bedroom, and I found myself sharing my heart with her about a burden I have been carrying around. Mrs. Zelma listened and then she said let's just pray about it and we did. She sat down in a chair, and I knelt at her feet and we held hands and prayed. At the end of the prayer, my burden had been lifted. I don't know how, but I know that GOD heard our prayers and HE lifted my burden from my heart...Later on as I got ready for bed, there sat Mrs. Zelma in her recliner reading her Bible. She was reading her Bible through this year, and was already in Psalms. I asked her if she would mind reading to me, and I laid down on the couch and listened while Mrs. Zelma read Psalm 40 and Psalm 41. I recognized the passage from Psalm 40:1 "I waited patiently for the LORD; HE turned to me and heard my cry. HE lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; HE set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." What a blessing it was to hear this dear godly saint read GOD's Word to me and comfort my soul. Shortly thereafter, I went to bed and Mrs. Zelma stayed up and watched the weather on TV. They were predicting some bad storms to come through and about 2:00 a.m. Mrs. Zelma came and got me. Mrs. Zelma had already laid out flashlights, raincoats, and even an allergy mask for me so that i would be more comfortable in the storm cellar. We picked them up off the table as we went out the door and made our way to the storm cellar in the lightly pouring rain. We made a memory sitting out there in chairs in the little concrete storm cellar, talking by the flashlight. She had candles in there, but didn't light them because she knew they'd bother me with my allergies. I had no idea until later that Mrs. Zelma was real afraid of storms, and I was glad the LORD had led my steps to be company to her on that stormy night. Eventually, we went back in the house and I returned to bed where I slept like a baby.

The next morning, Mrs. Zelma fed me a warm bowl of oatmeal and orange juice and before I had to leave we enjoyed singing some hymns together and praying together...what a special blessing from the LORD and refreshing time to my soul was Mrs. Zelma's love and hospitality to me. She didn't fix a big fancy meal, which in days past she would have if she'd known I was coming. But just a simple ham sandwich ( and she fixed me one to go too which I devoured on the way home), a bowl of oatmeal, a warm shower and bed, a storm shelter, and a loving heart willing to listen and pray with me was what GOD used to bless me so much and lift a heavy burden from my hurting heart.

Yesterday, as I was ironing in my kitchen after returning home from Indian Grave Tuesday evening, I heard a song called "The Broken Ones" on the Gospel Greats radio show(www.thegospelgreats.com). That song, sang by the Talley Trio, reminded me of the previous two days when GOD had used my friend Ann in her own brokenness to bless not only my life, but all who GOD is bringing to see her. HE used Mrs. Zelma to be such a blessing to me in the simpleness and peacefulness of her home. The chorus to "The Broken Ones" says "She loves the broken ones, the ones that need a little patching up,..."And then this line that jumped out at me, '"It really doesn't take that much, a willing heart, and a tender touch. If everybody loved like she does, there would be a lot less broken ones."

Thinking about Mrs Zelma's ham sandwich, warm bed, loving heart and praying with me, GOD did use her to help patch up my heavy heart. Ann, giving what she could in her weakness, herself, her love, offering for me to stay in her home, and letting me rub her feet was such a blessing to me. She had to humble herself to let me do that for her...and I realized, sometimes, we have to humble ourselves to let people love us in our brokenness. Our pride keeps walls up, and people from seeing our weaknesses and letting them love us in our brokenness. Ann's home and life, even though she is broken in health, is open to anyone who will come, including a young teacher needing some encouragement with the bad news she had just received. Ann could hide herself away not wanting others to see her in her weakened state, but she doesn't. Her door is open to any who will come and "GOD's grace is sufficient and HIS power is made perfect in the midst of weakness," to be a light for CHRIST and inspiration to others in our own brokenness. I am asking you, my praying friends, to please continue to remember this dear family in your prayers today and in the days ahead as they walk in GOD's grace.

Loving "the Broken Ones" just seemed an appropriate title for this week's email...we were all broken in some way that night, and CHRIST's love was what motivated us to love each other deeply. JESUS CHRIST, the ONE who loves us so much and gave HIMSELF to be broken on a wooden cross for your sins and mine, is the one who puts HIS love in our hearts to love "the broken ones." How thankful I am for a SAVIOR who was willing to be broken for us, that through HIS brokenness, HE gives us life and uses you and me to be a channel of HIS love and life to others ..."Love the broken ones, the ones who need a little patching up,see the diamonds in the rough and make it shine like new, it really doesn't take that much, a willing heart and a tender touch, if everybody loved like HE does, there'd be a lot less broken ones."

With all HIS love,

mitzi



"The Broken Ones" by Jerry Salley



Maggie came home one day, with a raggedy, Raggedy Ann,

She said, " Momma look what I found in the neighbors garbage can."

Had a missing left arm and her eye button eye hanging by a thread

She carried it gently up to her room and laid it on her bed with her other dolls.



Chorus:

She loves the broken ones,the ones that need a little patching up

She sees the diamond in the rough, and makes it shine like new

It really doesn't take that much, a willing heart and a tender touch.

If everybody loved like she does, there would be a lot less broken ones.



20 years later in a shelter on 18th avenue,

a 17 year old little girl shows up all black and blue,

needle tracks in her left arm, almost too weak to stand.

She says "I'm lost and need help" as Maggie takes

Her hand, and says come on in.



Chorus:



Bridge

If you call her an angel she will be quick to say to you,

She’s just doing what the One who died for her would do.

Love the broken ones, the ones that need a little patching up

see the diamond in the rough, and make it shine like new.



It really doesn't take that much, a willing heart and a tender touch.

If everybody loved like HE does, there would be a lot less broken ones

If everybody loved like HE does, there would be a lot less broken ones.

The Humbling of My Heart's Desire's

"Delight yourself in the LORD, and HE will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

Dear Friends

Last Saturday, GOD gave me the "desire of my heart" by allowing me to go paddling with four other members of the Huntsville Canoe Club (http://www.huntsvillecanoeclub.org/) down the Sipsey River. Earlier in the week, one of the members had sent out an email announcing that he was leading a trip down the Sipsey River in Bankhead Forest, and the weather was predicted to be sunny, in the upper 50's for the Saturday the trip was planned. The kids were involved in a Pancake Breakfast they were helping with at church and Johnny was resting, so the LORD worked everything out for me to go that morning. John Mac let me borrow his truck, and I got my boat loaded and my gear the night before so all I had to do was get myself ready in the morning. Johnny insisted I wear my wetsuit, though I resisted, thinking it would be cumbersome and hot...man, am I glad he insisted, it wasn't cumbersome or hot...in fact it kept me from freezing to death.
As I made the drive down to Bankhead, less than an hour away, I noticed it was overcast, and wondered when the sun would come out. It was chilly that morning, and I hadn't bothered to check the weather before I left but noticed the temp on the computer was in the upper 30's that morning. I thought wow, it's got a ways to go before it reaches the upper 50's, but I wasn't too concerned, I was just glad to get to go, and thought I had enough layers on.
We met at the Wren Trading Post, before 9:00 a.m. and waited around a few minutes for a couple of others who didn't show up (maybe they were the smarter ones:). By the time we got the boats unloaded, took the cars to the take out, and drove back to the put-in, it was 10:30a.m. I was more than a little eager to get this paddling trip started. We took a group picture and one by one we put our boats in the water. I started out with a bang by dropping my water bottle in the water, and managed to get stuck on a rock at the same time. I watched my water bottle float down the Sipsey while I was stuck on a rock. I thought, how embarrassing, these folks have never paddled with me and are going to think I am inept at paddling...which was the truth right then. Finally, while everyone else was getting their boats in the water, I managed to scoot off the rock, and took off down the river to retrieve my water bottle which was floating about 40 yards downstream. After getting it, I turned around, and paddled upstream to rejoin the rest of the group and tried to gain my composure...apologizing for taking off down river by myself.
So, as we started down the Sipsey, it was chilly...probably around 39-40 degrees. I sure was glad my husband insisted I wear my wet suit. The guy paddling beside me said I would probably get toasty warm inside my kayak with my sprayskirt on, and I did for a while, and then I started getting cold. My toes were cold even though I had on wool socks, and my legs were cold too. Thankfully, the scenery was beautiful, and I enjoyed looking at the big rocks in the water, and high cliffs on both sides of the Sipsey with hemlock trees all around-that took my mind off of being cold a little. By the time we stopped for lunch, I realized my legs were feeling numb as I tried to climb up the hill where we were eating. After stumbling a couple of times, I finally made it up, and the small fire our leader made from nearby twigs and branches sure felt good. Thanks to my husband including an emergency kit in my dry bag, we had matches to start the fire:). Using the "facilities" out there on that cold day was a challenge, since it meant taking off layers of clothing plus my wetsuit, plus my layer under my wetsuit, but i managed, along with some of the others, and was more than happy to rejoin everyone around the small fire. After we ate, and hiked around that area a short time, we got back in our kayaks and paddled downstream. Though the water was running low for the Sipsey at 80 cc's, thankfully we didn't have to get out any, and just scraped a few times on the bottom.
Our leader wanted to take us to Hurricane Creek Falls somewhere along the way, and as we paddled along, he realized that we had run past it. One of the guys who had his gps with him located it and our leader asked if it was okay with everyone if we went back to try to find it...shouldn't be but about a half mile up the river he said. I was kind of either way, probably leaning more towards heading down the river since my brain was numb by this time, either from the cold, or mold in the woods. But, I said I was game, so we turned around to head upstream, paddling back to find Hurricane Creek Falls. After we had paddled upstream a little piece, our leader pulled over to the side and I followed him, while the others paddled a little farther up against the current-I thought it's got to be easier hiking than paddling against the current... wrong. As soon as we got out of our boats, I managed to climb up the slippery hill, and there promptly got rid of my spray skirt. I knew that was just extra baggage that would get caught on everything going through the woods. We hiked up to an old logging road, and walked along it till we joined up with the rest of the group. >From there... the going got tougher and we went down into ravines in which I kept slipping and sliding in my water shoes( I was glad i was in the back so no one saw me) and then climbed a really high cliff. We walked along the edge of it a good ways, back down into another ravine, and back up another tall cliff...I was really, really tired going up hill, and was humbled to be in the back of the pack. I was really, really glad when they stopped to slow down. I don't know if they were waiting for me or not, I was just glad to have the break. Our leader casually mentioned as we were climbing over a tree "that these little side trips is why my wife doesn't usually go kayaking with me". I thought no wonder... that Renassaince feast a few weeks before was looking more and more appealing:). It was humbling to me that these guys who sit at a desk and work all week, seemed to be having an easier time than me. I don't remember praying, honestly, my brain was numb, but thankfully, the LORD strengthened me, and we finally found the falls...High Falls, properly named, it turned out instead of Hurricane Creek Falls, but we all were in agreement that we'd just have to find Hurricane Creek Falls another day, I wasn't the only one tired apparently. On the way back, we stopped underneath one of the cliffs, and i laid down on a rock to rest and took at picture of the hemlock trees way up on the top of the cliff... it sure felt good to stretch out and catch my breath. We eventually made it back to our boats, after going the same route in reverse, and I was still at the back of the pack most of the time.
One thing about it, the hike flat warmed us up for a while and I was thankful for that. We enjoyed the rest of our paddling trip down the Sipsey, admiring the beauty of GOD's creation in the rock cliffs along the way...sort of. I admired the pictures when I got home and could think again. When I was younger I didn't realize the treasure that was mine when our parents took us camping in Bankhead Forest growing up and it became our weekend playground, what a beautiful place to romp and play...and I still enjoy playing there. We paddled up to the take out just before dark and the men were so helpful getting the boats up the hill and loaded onto the cars and trucks.
As I thought about what to write this week, I kept thinking about the trip down the Sipsey, and I thought about GOD's goodness in giving me to "desire of my heart" to paddle down that beautiful river...I wanted to show you my pictures, and have a few of them up, but GOD reminded me of the humbling that came with the "desires of my heart." Though I really enjoyed getting the privilege of going, it was hard on me physically and mentally... hard enough to humble me and feel my age at 45. The kayaking was the easy part, and thankfully no one turned over in that cold water, but the hiking up the hills was truly a humbling experience for me as I gasped to get deep breaths in my lungs. It made me feel better when we got back to the Trading Post for the leader of the trip to say "I'm tired..." I know he was not alone in that:).
As I walked this morning in the beautiful field near my house, I thought about how that trip was such a picture of our lives...GOD is so good to give us the "desires of our hearts," but HE knows we need some hardship along the way to keep our feet on level ground, and our heads from swelling. When Johnny and I married, GOD put the "desire in both of our hearts" for me to be a homemaker, and stay at home with the kids if GOD chose to bless us that way. Then, HE put the "desire in our hearts" to be Foreign Missionaries, and we prepared for that earnestly for several years by Johnny finishing college, retiring from General Motors, and going to seminary. I went back to college, and got my nursing degree while Johnny was in seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas. It was during this time, we took a trip to England with the seminary, and I had some health issues as we traveled and we started realizing I might not make it on a foreign mission field. After Johnny finished seminary, we moved back to Alabama. In a few short months, after Johnny worked in the restaurant business with his family and I worked in Labor and Delivery at Decatur General, GOD called Johnny to be the pastor of Indian Grave Baptist Church near Billingsley, Alabama. We were thrilled, and in November of that year, with our first child due in February, we moved out in the country and onto the mission field of Indian Grave Baptist Church. Life couldn't have been better, and GOD was giving us the "desires of our hearts." We both enjoyed our lives there, though there were challenges, but it was a few months after delivering John Mac that I began having some unusual back pain, and the pain, and health problems continued to grow...until finally, 21/2 years later, Johnny resigned in the midst of a health crisis going on with me. Right there in the middle of GOD giving us our "heart's desires" I was getting sicker and sicker from the pesticides that were being sprayed in our home once a month. I didn't know what was making me sick until many years later, but GOD delivered our family from that situation, though it tore our hearts out to leave...we loved our flock at Indian Grave, and didn't want to leave...especially leave to move back home and Johnny join the restaurant business with his family. That was humbling, he was supposed to be a pastor, and me a pastor's wife...or so i thought. Well, GOD has a way of humbling all of his children doesn't HE..."the LORD gave and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD" said Job in Job 1:21. It took me a long time, years in fact, to bless the name of the LORD for taking that role of pastor and pastor's wife away. As I look back, I can see I was prideful about my role and didn't want to lower myself to be in the restaurant business...I hadn't quite grasped the concept of dying to self and having a servant's heart wherever the LORD chose to use us, and the LORD continues to work on me in those areas. GOD has certainly used Johnny, his family and the restaurant to provide our needs through the years, including my rather large, steady stream of medical bills. Through the restaurant HE has afforded our family many, many opportunities to serve others and minister to others through the sharing of food and fellowship.
As I thought about GOD giving me the "desires of my heart" this week, I thought about GOD calling me to be a homemaker, a housewife, when I was a junior at the University of Montevallo. That role is not very esteemed in the eyes of the world, but greatly esteemed in GOD's eyes..."Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior...that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children...to be workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of GOD may not be dishonored," Titus 2:4-5. It's a role I have loved and struggled with at times. You've read about my struggles in my emails as I have tried to be transparent and let you see my weaknesses, so you can see GOD's power. Through GOD's strength, throughout my many health struggles, HE has allowed me to continue in that role HE has called me, giving me the "desires of my heart." At the same time, HE has truly shown me that "I Can't Even Walk" as a wife, mom, or anything else, without HIM holding my hand. GOD has given me the "desire of my heart," and through my "mountains and valleys", kept me in this role as a stay at home wife and mom even more than I probably would have remained if I had not been sick.
I remember when John Mac was a baby, feeling some subtle and not so subtle pressure from others to go to work outside the home since I had my nursing degree and the pastor's salary wasn't a whole lot in those days. When I got sick, it became a non-issue, as far as others were concerned for me to work as a nurse. I couldn't function well at home, much less work outside the home. It always was settled with us for me to stay at home, I am so thankful the LORD placed that "desire" in my husband's heart at the same time he did mine, but i still felt a little pressured from outside. I have been so grateful that GOD has given me the "desire of my heart" to be a homemaker. Believe me I am not the greatest in the world at it...there are huge gaps in my homemaking skills, like not being the best cook in the world... I don't even make my own bread most of the time, the house doesn't seem to stay picked up, and I don't even know enough about sewing to teach Hannah Beth. But GOD in HIS grace has enabled us to homeschool our children, (thankfully John Mac is almost finished with his second year of college and doing well) and invest deeply in their lives...in the midst of my weaknesses. I am honored that GOD has counted me worthy to fulfill the role of wife and Mom in my home and I have learned that "HIS grace is sufficient and HIS power is made perfect in my weakness." I am thankful for the struggles HE has allowed me along the way to help keep me humble and hopefully usable for HIM. There is a verse from the hymn, "Praise to the LORD, the Almighty," that reminds me how GOD has granted my desires in the circumstances HE has ordained for my life: "Praise to the LORD, who e'er all things so wondrously reigneth, Shelters thee under HIS wings, yea, so gently sustaineth, Hast thou not seen How thy desires e'er have been granted in what HE ordaineth?"
A song that has kept coming to my mind throughout this week is "I Can't Even Walk," by Colbert and Joyce Croft. I've used this song before, and felt led to share it with you again today. Tony Greene(www.thegreenesgospel.com) sang this a couple of years ago at a concert here in Athens, as I was going through a very, very difficult time with my thinking and energy levels. I remember that night as he sang that song at Truth Baptist Church, those words were so true in my life, "I Can't Even Walk, without YOU Holding my hand, the mountain is too high and the valley is too wide, down on my knees is where I've learned to stand, and I can't even walk without YOU holding my hand." As Tony sang, he invited us to come up to the altar and pray. I knelt down at that altar while he sang , and asked the LORD to help me through that difficult time. I confessed that I couldn't walk or do anything without HIM holding my hand. HE has not only held my hand, but HE's carried me through that time, and all the other difficult times HE's allowed along my journey. GOD is so faithful and kind to "Hold our Hand" not just through the difficult times, but HE carries us all the time. HE puts "HIS desires in our heart" and fulfills them, and HE knows we need some adversity along the way to keep us humble and usable for HIM.
One of my favorite devotions from the Bible and retold in "Streams in the Desert" is the story about Joseph being sold into slavery, falsely accused by Potiphar's wife, and locked away in prison for many years during his youth. When GOD did release him, he became second in command of the entire land of Egypt. The caption in Streams from April 15 says "He lifts Joseph from a prison to a premiership. And the length of stay in the prison prevents dizziness in the premier. It's safe to trust God's methods and to go by His clock." --S. D. Gordon GOD had given Joseph dreams years before that he would one day rule over his brothers,Genesis 37:5-11...and GOD also knew what it would take to build the character that Joseph would need in his life before he would be able to lead with humility and love. GOD knows the plans that HE has for each of HIS children, not only in this life, but for all eternity. HE knows the humility that we need in our lives that only comes through adversity, and having to depend on the LORD to "Hold our Hand."

Dear LORD JESUS, help me to be patient when YOU allow and even design affliction to come into my life. Help me to trust YOUR plans and purposes and to know that "just as the sufferings of CHRIST abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by CHRIST," II Corinthians 2:5. Thank you, LORD, for giving me the desires YOU have placed in my heart, and for the sufferings that YOU use to keep me humble in the midst of fulfilling the desires of my heart. I love you, JESUS. Amen

With all HIS love,
mitzi

Would you please remember my friends Tim and Amy Greene in your prayers this week? Many of you have prayed for them through the years with Tim's health issues. He is continuing to have some health struggles and they are back out at the clinic in Dallas for treatment this week. Also, please remember our friends Ann and Van Smith...they are dear friends from our church in Billingsley who have opened their lives and home up to our family many times through the years. Ann has been struggling with cancer and I ask you to remember them before our FATHER too. Thank you so much for remembering these dear families.





I Can't Even Walk
Colbert and Joyce Croft
I thought number one would surely be me.
I thought I could be what I wanted to be.
I thought I could build on life's sinking sand.
But, I can't even walk without You holding my hand.

Refrain:
I can't even walk without You holding my hand.
The mountain is too high and the valley is too wide.
Down on my knees, I learned to stand.
And I can't even walk without You holding my hand.

I thought I could do a lot on my own.
I thought I could make it all alone.
I thought of myself as a mighty big man.
But, I can't even walk without You holding my hand.

I think I'll make Jesus my One and my All.
From now on when in trouble, only His name I'll call.
And If I can't trust Him, I'll be less of a man.
'Cause I can't even walk without You holding my hand.


Psalm 73:21-24 (New American Standard Bible)


When my heart was embittered
And I was pierced within,
Then I was senseless and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You have taken hold of my right hand.
With Your counsel You will guide me,
And afterward receive me to glory.