"Lodge of Love"

"Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart having been born again not of corruptible seed but incorruptible..." 1 Peter 1:22-23


Dear Friends,

This past Saturday afternoon, our family was invited to a get together. Do you remember the friend who helped me walk up the ramp to the "Top of Old Smoky?" That's the friend who invited us...Bebe and her husband were having a get together for the staff and some of the volunteers who helped out with the Parker campaign. Maybe we got invited cause she felt sorry for me that I couldn't walk up the ramp to Clingman's Dome by myself:). Bebe gave me the directions earlier in the week how to get to her house, telling me she lived in a green lodge looking house which was up on a mountain in southeast Huntsville, about 45 minutes from where I live...if you take the direct route. Hannah Beth and I left our house plenty early cause we had a few errands to run( Dollar Tree, Target, Family CHRISTian Bookstore), before we got there. After we finished our errands, we found ourselves winding along up the mountain road that leads up to the top of the mountain. Right away I turned left when we reached the top, when I should have turned right...and I had just got through calling Bebe and asking directions again cause I left mine at home. Hannah Beth saw a sign that pointed us in the right direction so we turned around and got on the right road. As we drove past the Nature Trail, and kept going and going, down the mountain, I thought, "I think we've gone too far and we had." I called Bebe again, and she gave me directions again, and told me to be careful to make the hairpin curve to the left before I got to her house or I'd run off the mountain. Wow, she was right about that...it was a hairpin turn that led you straight off the mountain! There were no guard rails there either to keep you from going over. There just across from the curve was this beautiful green, lodge of a mountain home on the side of the mountain. I was expecting a smaller green lodge looking house, but this really looked like a lodge! Dangling from the rails of the deck on the second story were white CHRISTmas lights to brighten up the cloudy and cold afternoon. Bebe and her husband had been on the deck making preparations for their guest when we arrived and came to greet us at the front door with a very warm and friendly greeting. Wow, was all I could say, what a beautiful home. Bebe invited us in and introduced us to her granddaughter who had been helping her grandmother and granddaddy get ready for the gathering that evening.

Hannah Beth and I arrived earlier than the others because we had talked about going hiking if Bebe was where she could go, but she was still getting ready, so we stayed there to help out. We ditched the hike on the mountain(and I will look forward to that another time), and hiked over thru their "lodge" of a home. I love rustic outdoor woodsy stuff so this was right down my alley. Our bedroom at home is kind of decorated like a room in a lodge with hickory wood floors, a quilt that has canoes, bears, and mountains on it, and decor on the walls with a mountain scene, bears, canoes, etc. We have a stand in the corner of our room with rod and reels. Bebe's house was right down my alley. No wonder me and Bebe hit it off:). Her kitchen was huge, with oak cabinets lining 4 walls, a sink by the window and another sink on a large table in the middle of the kitchen for preparing food. There was lots and lots of counter space and it was amazingly clean...I said that because my counters at home don't stay amazingly clean, but amazingly cluttered. In the large dining area was a huge wooden table that would seat close to two dozen folks or more. Bebe told us someone in their church, I think, made it for them, along with the beautiful oak mantels that were above their fireplaces, one inside the den and the other fireplace outside on the deck. The ceilings inside were really tall with large wide beams, with a loft overlooking the den. As we walked out on the deck which gave a great view of that hairpin turn overlooking the mountain, BeBe and her husband were working on getting a roaring fire going in the fireplace. Later on we roasted marshmallows out there. While we waited for the others to arrive, Bebe's husband offered to show us his "ManCave"- his corner of the world in their house. He led us downstairs and took we looked around the "cave" which had a full kitchen, recreational area with pool table, TV and lounge chair, and workshop. Then he showed us his TV room and large wrap around couch-pretty nice for a "CAVE." After the tour of the "cave," we went upstairs and toured the rest of the "lodge." In one bedroom were three beds, a big one, medium one, and little one...reminding me of Goldilocks and the three bears. Adjoining it was a room that used to be Bebe and her husband's Master bedroom, but I later learned that their Minister of Music and his family drives up from Birmingham and stays with them on the weekends...so Bebe and her husband have moved upstairs. Wow, that is love, giving up your bedroom. Bebe's granddaughter took over and finished our tour of the spacious home as Bebe's husband had to get back to grilling hotdogs and hamburgers. She showed us the large tile showers and I honestly lost the girls at one point, because the house was so big. Up over the garage is a bonus room, a large room with at least 9 beds, maybe more. The night before, Bebe's granddaughter had several of her friends over to spend the night, and Bebe said her granddaughter has friends over often to spend the night. This past week, Bebe was expecting 30 or so of her family to come and stay for Thanksgiving...down from 50 that are usually there.

During our tour, the guests started arriving with their yummy dishes to go with the burgers, like cheesy clam chowder soup, pineapple casserole, green bean casserole, all kinds of appetizers with shrimp, spinach dip, chips, and salads. Then there were delicious looking desserts including cherry cheesecake. We mingled around visiting with folks we had gotten to know during the campaign,and were glad to be reacquainted with old friends that we met from the first campaign back in 1994. What a sweet time of fellowship it was and a great opportunity to catch up with folks we hadn't seen in a few weeks, or several years. It's amazing to be going full speed working on a campaign, and all of the sudden just like that, you stop. It leaves a huge hole in your life and heart, and you miss those folks you've been working with so hard. Wayne and Lisa and their kids were there and what a blessing to get to visit with them, and thank them for running this race. This dear family had been called out by GOD , and they had laid down their lives and given it their all for the past several months. How thankful we were for their willingness to be on the "front lines," in this battle for good, and for all the sacrifices their family had made in so many ways. After John Eyster asked the blessing, we tried to get Wayne and Lisa to go first, and Wayne would not do it, preferring the women to go first. I think I saw him eventually at the back of the line...that's the kind of guy Wayne is because of CHRIST in him, laying down his life for the brethren, and putting others first. Hannah Beth and I found our way to the large wooden table that I mentioned earlier. We visited with a retired couple that Hannah Beth had worked with at the headquarters doing mailouts. While they talked, I moseyed back to the kitchen and visited with Bebe, Wayne and some others who were standing around. After supper was over, Hannah Beth and I walked out on the decked and hovered around the fire where some where roasting marshmallows. While we were there, one of the staff members the state republican party who had worked so hard on the campaign came out and we started talking. I told him I thought we were going to win this one and he said he did too. He shared how they teach them in school where he majored in Southern Politics at Mississippi St. that they aren't supposed to get close to who they're working for. I guess they're supposed to stay emotionally detached, but he said, try as he might, he had let himself get close to Wayne and this had been a really hard defeat for him personally because of the kind of who Wayne is...humble, honest, a man of integrity that loves CHRIST and people. We talked awhile longer and he was very kind telling how much the Student Project had been such a huge help and encouragement to the staff. While we talked with him, another dear person came out and before that night i had never really talked to her much though she has played a very vital role in all 3 campaigns. As she shared her heart about some struggles she was having, and her walk with CHRIST in the midst of it, I was so blessed by her conversation. Here she has had the opportunity to work with some of the most influential people in the world, through her job in Washington D.C. working for another Congressman, and she was just as down to earth as could be. Our hearts were drawn closer together through our love for CHRIST and sharing our weaknesses and HIS faithfulness to help us along this journey. It got pretty cold on that deck, even with the warm fellowship we were having and the fire burning in the fireplace. As it got colder, Hannah Beth and I went inside to say our goodbyes, and began our journey home. It was hard to leave cause I don't know when we will ever see some of these folks again this side of heaven. Some we had met in previous campaigns and the campaign is what GOD has used to bring our paths together, three of them now.

Earlier this week, I was reflecting on our wonderful evening of fellowship at Bebe's "Lodge." The Williams' home is definitely a "Lodge of Love," a place where love abounds and is shared with all those who enter its doors. Bebe and her husband had this house built with love in mind. With three grown kids that all have families of their own, they are at a season in life they could have downscaled...instead they built a home designed to accommodate large groups of people. From my experience Saturday night, the LORD is using Bebe and her husband, and their home to love on a lot of folks. Our particular bunch was still healing from a defeat a few weeks before...a defeat that really hurt. We hurt for our friends, Wayne and Lisa Parker, who seem so deserving to serve our district in Congress, but GOD has a different plan. Everyone in that house just about knew that in our head, 'It was GOD's will," but we were still working on getting that into our hearts. It was a good time just to be with everyone and talk, and let GOD continue to love on us through each other and continue to heal those wounds.

As I thought about that "Lodge of Love," it reminded me of what heaven's going to be like where JESUS is making preparations for HIS chosen ones. In fact, I started to name this email, "A Taste of Heaven," because our fellowship and surroundings that night was a little bit of heaven on earth for me. 'Lodge of Love" popped in my mind and I felt like that's what the HOLY SPIRIT wanted me to call it instead. JESUS told his disciples in John 14:1-3, "Let not your heart be troubled (our hearts were troubled by the outcome of the elections); believe in GOD, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you, for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." That "Lodge of Love," in heaven, is a place HE is preparing right now, for HIS children, to dwell in forever and ever. "... You have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living GOD. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven," Hebrews 12: 22-23. Our "Lodge of Love" in heaven is a place where we will be with our LORD and SAVIOR face to face, no more walking by faith as we have had to do on earth. We will understand all those mysteries when we get there like why did GOD lead Wayne Parker to run three times and he didn't win? GOD will have all the answers...and show us HIS plans and purposes. This is the time we have to trust HIM, WHO is so trustworthy, and we can't always understand the reason "why," this side of heaven. There will be no more pain, no more tears, no more sorrow or suffering and we will enjoy the perfect fellowship of our brother's and sister in CHRIST who have gone on before us. "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,"Now the dwelling of GOD is with men, and HE will live with them. They will be HIS people, and GOD HIMself will be with them and be their GOD. HE will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain,for the old order of things has passed away" Rev. 21:3-4. What a sweet, sweet time of fellowshipping that will be...forever and ever. We will be singing praises to GOD our FATHER who loves us "with an everlasting love,"Jer.31:3 and Who sent HIS Son to earth to die on a wooden cross so that shall not p"whosoever believes in HIM perish but have everlasting life," John 3:16. I am looking forward to that "Lodge of Love" in heaven and being with CHRIST and my grandparents, aunts and uncles, and friends who are ones already there enjoying their reward in heaven. And there will be a feast up there, the marriage supper of the LAMB, with all kinds of scrumptious food, and we'll probably sit around a big table like we did at the "Lodge of Love." "Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!" Rev. 19:9. My thorn in the flesh here has served me well to help keep me uncomfortable enough in this world, that the "Lodge of Love" above looks wonderful. The older I get, the more dear the love that CHRIST has for me and has shed abroad that love in our hearts for one another becomes more dear to me. I can't imagine how glorious that love is going to be in heaven when we have perfect love for each other. There'll be no more misunderstandings, unforgiviness, arguments, or hurt feelings, just pure love for one another, truly a "Lodge of Love."

A couple of nights ago, Bebe emailed me and she was told me she hoped I didn't forget the way to her house cause she wanted us to get together for that hike we missed Saturday evening. I emailed her back and told her I wouldn't forget how to get back to her house..well, on second thought, maybe I shouldn't have spoken so confidently:). As I thought about getting lost on the way to her "Lodge of Love," it put sadness in my heart, as I thought of those who are lost or lonely, separated in this world from CHRIST, because of their sins. They don't know the way to the eternal "Lodge of Love," CHRIST and HIS heaven. Some have never heard how to get their name in the Lamb's Book of Life that is required for our entrance to heaven, like my friend last week, Michelle. GOD used HIS Word in a bad movie to lead her on a desperate search to find her way to CHRIST. As she read HIS WORD, and went to a Bible study, she learned she had to believe that CHRIST died for her, rose from the dead, and repent of her sins. Since JESUS came into her life many years ago, when she knelt in her home and prayed to receive HIM, she has been a beacon of CHRIST's light, showing the lost the way to "The Lodge of Love." In John 14:6 JESUS says, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man comes to the FATHER except through Me." JESUS, our Creator, the Lover of our Souls, our dear Savior who poured HIS life out to death for you and me, WHO was resurrected on the third day, and was seen by over 500 eyewitnesses, is the ONLY WAY, to the FATHER, there is no other road to this "LODGE of LOVE." "...CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that HE was buried, that HE was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that HE appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, HE appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time," I Cor. 15:3-6. All other roads lead to Hell, and fiery flames that burn the souls of those outside of CHRIST forever and ever..."where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched." Mark 9:48. CHRIST has left each one of HIS chosen ones here to be a "Lodge of Love," through CHRIST living in our hearts, to share HIS love with others and show the way to HIM. Oftentimes, GOD enlarges our "Lodge of Love," by allowing sufferings in our lives. Those difficult sufferings HE uses to enlarge our capacity to experience HIS wonderful love more, and allow HIM to love others more deeply through us. I felt that deep love Saturday night in the beautiful mountain lodge home of our friends who love CHRIST and share HIS love with all who enter their "Lodge." Truly the Williams home, as well as their hearts, is a "Lodge of Love."

Earlier this week my friend Sheila Heil shared with me a story called John 3:16, and it reminded me of the "Lodge of Love," that CHRIST uses to draw others to HIM.
John 3:16

A little boy was selling newspapers on the corner, the people were in and out of the cold.

The little boy was so cold that he wasn't trying to sell many papers. He walked up to a policeman and said, "Mister, you wouldn't happen to know where a poor boy could find a warm place to sleep tonight would you? You see, I sleep in a box up around the corner there and down the alley and it's awful cold in there for tonight. Sure would be nice to have a warm place to stay."

The policeman looked down at the little boy and said, "you go down the street to that big white house and you knock on the door.

When they come out the door you just say John 3:16, and they will let you in."

So he did. He walked up the steps and knocked on the door, and a lady answered. He looked up and said, "John 3:16.." The lady said, "Come on in, Son." She took him in and she sat him down in a split bottom rocker in front of a great big old fireplace, and she went off. The boy sat there for a while and thought to himself: John 3:16...I don't understand it, but it sure makes a cold boy warm.

Later she came back and asked him "Are you hungry?" He said, "Well, just a little. I haven't eaten in a couple of days, and I guess I could stand a little bit of food," The lady took him in the kitchen and sat him down to a table full of wonderful food. He ate and ate until he couldn't eat any more...Then he thought to himself: John 3:16...Boy, I sure don't understand it but it sure makes a hungry boy full.

She took him upstairs to a bathroom to a huge bathtub filled with warm water, and he sat there and soaked for a while. As he soaked, he thought to himself: John 3:16... I sure don't understand it, but it sure makes a dirty boy clean. You know, I've not had a bath, a real bath, in my whole life. The only bath I ever had was when I stood in front of that big old fire hydrant as they flushed it out. The lady came in and got him.. She took him to a room, tucked him into a big old feather bed, pulled the covers up around his neck, kissed him goodnight and turned out the lights. As he lay in the darkness and looked out the window at the snow coming down on that cold night, he thought to himself: John 3:16...I don't understand it but it sure makes a tired boy rested.

The next morning the lady came back up and took him down again to that same big table full of food. After he ate, she took him back to that same big old split bottom rocker in front of the fireplace and picked up a big old Bible.

She sat down in front of him and looked into his young face. "Do you understand John 3:16?" she asked gently. He replied, "No, Ma'am, I don't. The first time I ever heard it was last night when the policeman told me to use it," She opened the Bible to John 3:16 and began to explain to him about Jesus. Right there, in front of that big old fireplace, he gave his heart and life to Jesus.

He sat there and thought: John 3:16......don't understand it, but it sure makes a lost boy feel safe.

You know, I have to confess I don't understand it either, how God was willing to send His Son to die for me, and how Jesus would agree to do such a thing. I don't understand the agony of the Father and every angel in heaven as they watched Jesus suffer and die. I don't understand the intense love for ME that kept Jesus on the cross till the end. I don't understand it, but it sure does make life worth living.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

When we share HIS blessings and love with others, GOD supernaturally uses that love to draw others to HIM, whether it be those who don't know CHRIST or those of who do, ..."love never fails," I Cor.13:8. Often times it takes more than just sharing a Bible verse with someone to lead someone to CHRIST...it takes food, a warm bed, a warm touch, a caring smile, and the laying down of our lives in a plethora of ways to build a bridge from their heart to HIS. It takes "JESUS with flesh on"...and we are "JESUS with flesh on" to everyone we meet. Week after week, our pastor and his wife and family, open their home up on Friday nights to our young people, not only in our church, but anyone who will come. They cook for them, provide them a place to hang out, teach them the Word of GOD, and love on them. The love that they show our young folks is bearing fruit in our church family, as each week it seems more and more young couples and singles are coming to our church, coming to know CHRIST, growing in HIM through a loving church family, and being a witness for CHRIST during the week...and I am very thankful to their ministry to my own children.

I know my heart has been refreshed and encouraged by the love we experienced at the Williams "Lodge of Love," last week. ..encouraged to love others with love in action, not just words, love that feeds others, for the physical body and spiritually, provides their needs( the Williams had a huge closet full of blankets, sheets, and pillows, just for their guests comfort) and makes them feel loved. Love that takes time to listen to others, encourage them, pray with those who are hurting, and share GOD's Word to give them hope. I desire GOD to use my heart, our home and our family more to be a "Lodge of Love," to show others the way to CHRIST. We don't have to have a huge house ...but we do have to have yielded hearts and a heart full of CHRIST's love. CHRIST can use our hearts to be a "Lodge of Love" to reach out and share HIS love to those who are "searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me."

Casting Crowns sings a song called, "Does Anybody Hear Her," that reminds me of those who are lost and don't know CHRIST, those who are "searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me." I was like that before I knew CHRIST ,"running a 100 miles an hour in the wrong direction," when GOD used my college basketball coach to love me and cause me to "thirst" for what she had...what she had was a personal relationship with JESUS CHRIST that flowed out into everything she did...the way she coached, lived her life, and loved her players. She opened up her heart her home, her "Lodge of Love," and her life to us players and shared GOD's love with us. GOD eventually drew me in...and saved my soul. You can see the video to "Does Anybody Hear Her," by clicking on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhOJW4Uwy3c .



At our wedding, 25 years ago, we had a song sung as a prayer, called "Take Our Love, LORD". I don't remember who wrote the words, but the song fits perfectly with CHRIST taking our love, our hearts and our homes and making them a "Lodge of Love." This song, this prayer was a desire that GOD put in our hearts from the beginning of our marriage. HE has answered this prayer and desire through the years in our lives to share HIS love with others,not always in the ways we thought HE would, but in the ways that HE knew best. We have often fallen short and missed many opportunities, but HE continues to work in our lives to answer our prayers, and our hearts desires...to be a "Lodge of Love." We are a work in progress, a "Lodge" still very much under construction:)...that desires to share HIS love with those around us. Thank you, Bebe and Larry for sharing your "Lodge of Love," with us and warming our hearts with CHRIST's love on a cold night.

With all HIS love and a Thankful Heart,

mitzi



"Take our Love LORD, make it YOURS"

Take our love LORD, make it YOUR love
Take our love LORD, make it YOUR love
Take our love LORD, make it YOUR love
Take it all LORD, make it YOURS.

Take our heart LORD, make it YOUR heart
Take our heart LORD, make it YOUR heart
Take our heart LORD, make it YOUR heart
Take it all LORD make it YOURS.

Take our home LORD, make it YOUR home
Take our home LORD, make it YOUR home
Take our home LORD, make it YOUR home
Take it all LORD, make it YOURS.

"O soul of mine, be extravagant in love of JESUS!" -Springs in the Valley, Nov.27