Fighting for the TRUTH

"But you must realize that in the last days the times will be full of danger. Men will become utterly self-centered, greedy for money, full of big words. They will be proud and abusive, without any regard for what their parents taught them. They will be utterly lacking in gratitude, reverence and normal human affections. They will be remorseless, scandal-mongers, uncontrolled and violent and haters of all that is good. They will be treacherous, reckless and arrogant, loving what gives them pleasure instead of loving GOD. The will maintain a facade of "religion" but their life denies the truth. Keep clear of people like that." II Timothy 3:1-5 Phillips Translation


Dear Friends and Family,

I wanted to give you a quick update on a couple of prayer requests that i asked you to pray about recently. My sister-in-law returned safely home from her mission trip to Japan, just in time for my brother Joe to have hernia surgery and thankfully he is doing remarkably well. He had surgery on Monday and was back at work last Thursday-wow! My doctor returned to work full time this week after having a valve replaced in his heart- Praise the LORD. I do praise HIM and thank GOD for HIS goodness and healing in these lives and for your prayers for them. Thank you so much for your prayers. Please remember our cousins and everyone in the Louisville, Ky area who are in the midst of a huge ice storm. Thousands and thousands are without power and trees are down all over the place they told me yesterday. Bruce and Gloria had a house full of family and friends seeking shelter in their home. Sherry and Curtis you are in our prayers too!


This past Tuesday, we celebrated my son's 19th birthday...Praise the LORD! We actually celebrated on Monday evening, meeting John Mac, my brother-in-law and sister-in- law at Outback Steakhouse in Madison, because Tuesday was packed for him with school and work. It's hard to believe the years have gotten by so very quickly but they have....seems like yesterday when John Mac was potty training. Well, okay, last week:).

When John Mac and Hannah Beth were little, the LORD blessed us with much time together and my "thorn" is one of the reason's we had so much time together. I didn't exactly feel like taking them on a bunch of field trips, like a lot of homeschooling families did and do, but i'm sure thankful for you my dear friends who did pick up the slack and let them go along with your family at times when i wasn't able to. One of the neat things that GOD brought along when they were little that we could do at home was a chart called "The Ten Fingers Way to Remember the Ten Commandments." I don't remember who shared it with us now, but it was one of those things the LORD used then, and continues to use to help me and my kids remember the 10 commandments. It only took about 10 minutes for them to learn the 10 commandments. Here's how it works:

Ten Commandments found in Ex. 20

1. Thou shalt have no other GOD's before ME. GOD FIRST One finger pointing to GOD in heaven-HE is number one.
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images. NO IDOLS Two fingers turned sideways to look like scissors cutting out an idol.
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy GOD in vain. NO CUSSING Three fingers, looks like "W" and stands for "Watch your Words."
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. WORSHIP GOD Four fingers for 4 people in 4-door car with 4 wheels all going to church.
5. Honor thy father and thy mother. OBEY PARENTS Five fingers-one hand salute to show honor to parents.
6. Thou shalt not kill. DON'T MURDER One finger pointing like gun at other five fingers.
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery. NO ADULTERY Two fingers, looks like "V" stands for Virgin pure and apart from the world (other 5 fingers).
8. Thou shalt not steal. DON'T STEAL In old times, thieves had fingers cut off. A 3-fingered thief was a two-time loser.
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. DON'T LIE Nine fingers up, all saying one thing; one thumb down, saying something different-a lie.
10. Thou shalt not covet. DON'T COVET All ten fingers up reaching to grab something you covet.

This is really an amazingly easy way for kids to learn the 10 commandments easily. For those more brain challenged, like me, it may take a little longer. I figure John Mac is 19... hum at least 15 years for me, and i'm still working on them:).

These days, my kids are both in college, John Mac is a junior at UAH, and HB is taking dual enrollment classes at our local community college this semester along with her classes at home. When our kids leave for school in the mornings I encourage them to be a witness for CHRIST and look at their colleges as the mission field GOD has for them right now. I am thankful for all those years we had to build GOD's Word in their hearts, and we still encourage them to build GOD's word into their hearts by reading it, memorizing it, studying it and meditating upon it. That "Word of GOD is living and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword," Hebrews 4:12 tells us, and it helps them combat the battle for their minds, their future families and for those their lives will have an impact upon. The false teaching that our kids at 19 and 17 are encountering today is all around us, and we are all in a war, or should be, to fight for the truth of the Bible, and that of a Biblical worldview...the worldview that our country was founded upon by godly men who sought GOD's word for their direction.

This past Sat. evening, the kids and i had the awesome privilege, and it was an awesome privilege to sit inside that church between my two teenagers to attend a Biblical Worldview Conference www.codebluerally.com. Johnny very much wanted to go, but had to work...someone has to work to support my habits and pay our bills:). One of the men who spoke, Norman Geisler, has been a "hero" of my husband for many years since we were baby CHRISTians. Dr. Geisler, www.normangeisler.com, www.internationallegacy.org, has fought to "contend for our faith," as one of the best known apologist for Biblical truth in the world. He has written many, many books, traveling and speaking all over the world, and is currently beginning a new seminary for Biblical truth called Veritas Evangelical Seminary.

I wasn't exactly sure what to expect from this conference, but what i did get was like taking a drink out of a fire hydrant, literally. My mind could not process fast enough what the speakers were saying. There were three speakers, well actually four, at the conference we went to, and there was no charge. They asked for a love offering to help cover the cost of these men who had literally flown from all over the world to be there. One had just returned from Ethiopia, and another had flown across country from Seattle, Wa. and another, Dr. Geisler, from Charlotte, NC. Brandon Howse was from Memphis, Tn and i have included the website here for the ministry...www.worldviewweekend.com. You can go online and see all the great resources they to help you and your family understand a Biblical Worldview, and the other worldviews that are seeking to destroy our faith, family, and freedoms. They covered so much in the short 4 hours we met, but what keeps coming back to me is the similarities between the path our country is going down, and the path that Hitler and Nazi Germany took. I told you it was scary in parts, but "GOD has not give us a spirit of fear but of power, of love, and of a sound mind," II Timothy 1:7. The purpose of these rallies was to open our eyes up to Biblical truth, how we got to where we are in our society today and where to go from here. Brannon Howse spoke on "Political Correctness=Cultural Marxism." He explained how our culture is going more and more towards socialism and Marxism and how though seeds were planted many years ago in our society. It was heartbreaking, hearing of how John Dewey in 1933, best known as the father of modern education, placed German Marxists at leading colleges and universities around our country to indoctrinate their worldview into millions of Americans and eventually into American culture. Many of those today are our college and university presidents, pastors and leaders in key positions influencing our young people and making decisions that are leading our culture farther and farther from a Biblical worldview.

The neat thing about this rally is that it wasn't just for our area, they are having them all over the country and you can attend one in your area and for your convenience- I have listed some of the locations below:). On the websites i listed above you can purchase all of the resources that were available to us at the conference, learn the same things we learned, or tried to:), and gain wisdom and knowledge in how our world events today are fulfilling prophecy in the Bible as we march onward towards a one world government.

One inspiring man who spoke was Robert Cornuke. He is an ex police man, S.W.A.T. team member, PhD. and he is known as a modern day "Indiana Jones." He has searched for Noah's Ark, the Ark of the Covenant, and Mt. Sinai and his website is www.baseinstitute.org. He's the one who had just flown in from an expedition in Ethiopia and was so interesting...funny, humble, intelligent, and adventurous and above all loved the LORD with all his heart and it showed. He was passionate about JESUS and said that since CHRIST had saved him, he has never been the same. He showed us a video of places in Saudi Arabia, i believe where they think Mt. Sinai is located, and showed different artifacts found around the base of the mountain where GOD gave Moses the 10 commandments.

Speaking of the 10 commandments ...another name mentioned at the conference, associated with this team of men defending our faith is Ray Comfort. In fact i mentioned his website www.thewayofthemaster.com a few weeks ago in my email after my friend Michelle Pavlick told me about him and Kirk Cameron, and his powerful witnessing methods. Along about that same time that Michelle mentioned Ray Comfort to me, another friend of mine, Catherine Smith, mentioned him and shared some tracts with me by him. Yesterday I finished listening to a CD Catherine gave me that Ray did several years ago called, "Hell's Best Kept Secret." This is a powerful CD encouraging us to use GOD's law when we talk to people about the eternal destination of their souls. He gave an example of JESUS doing this in the Bible when the rich young ruler came up to him and asked JESUS what must he do to have eternal life.
Jesus replied in Matthew 19:17-22, "...But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." He said to HIM, "Which ones?" JESUS said, "You shall not murder, 'You shall not commit adultery,' You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
The young man said to HIM, "All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?" "Jesus said to him," If you want to be perfect, go sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions."

John MacArthur comments on this passage in his one year devotion Bible and says that JESUS was"exposing this young man's true heart. His refusal to obey here revealed two things: 1) he was not blameless as far as the law was concerned, because he was guilty of loving himself and his possessions more than his neighbors and 2) he lacked true faith, which involves a willingness to surrender all at CHRIST's bidding. JESUS was not teaching salvation by philanthropy; but HE was demanding that this young man give HIM first place. The young man failed the test.
As i read this just now, i remember the struggle that i had when i was dating. The LORD was relentless in HIS pursuit of me and convicting me of my sins...four years relentless. The question He posed to me was not "go and sell all i have to the poor" cause i didn't have much in that area, and that wasn't keeping me from surrendering my life to CHRIST...but it was, "Mitzi, are you going to put ME first and make me LORD of your life or your boyfriend and the "false security" you have in him? Are you going to repent of your sins or keep indulging in them? Thankfully, by GOD's grace, HE helped me repent, and turn to HIM...and "Flee from the wrath that is to come, (Matt.3:7)...eternal judgement and damnation in hell." One of the first things i did after surrendering my life to CHRIST, and i was so full of joy, joy, joy-my sin burden was gone- was to let my boyfriend know that i could not date him anymore because he wasn't a CHRISTian and i wasn't going to continue in the same path i had been walking in. That was not easy, i had failed many time before when i tried in my own strength, but this time, I had a new power living inside of me, and that was the power of the HOLY SPIRIT that came and dwelt in me when I surrendered my life to CHRIST. This time, GOD helped me be strong as i read HIS read voraciously, and got involved in our local church where the CHRISTians there loved me and helped me grow in CHRIST. As i was apart from my boyfriend during this time, except for a zoology class we shared in college, little did i expect for my him to come to know CHRIST a month later, reading his Bible in his bedroom with no encouragement from me, and we have been married for 25 years-to GOD be the glory! "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the thngs which GOD hath prepared for them that love HIM." (I Cor. 2:9).

Your struggle with sin may be different than mine was and is and the rich young ruler, but we all are guilty in our sin before our just GOD and will endure HIS wrath of Hell forever unless we repent of our sins and trust in the LORD JESUS CHRIST for the payment of our sins. That's where the 10 commandments comes in. Mr. Comfort encourages us to use these, as JESUS did on the rich young ruler, 1st to examine ourselves and see if we are in the faith, and as we talk with others about their souls. He encourages us to ask when we are sharing with someone if they have ever told a lie,(thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor) or stolen anything,(thou shalt not steal), or been disobedient or disrespectful to your parents (honor thy father and thy mother) or committed adultery (though shalt not commit adultery), murdered anyone (thou shalt not kill), etc. JESUS said in the Matthew 5:22 that if we are angry with someone it's the same as killing someone because it's the same attitude in our heart. Everyone has sinned against GOD, "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of GOD," Romans 3:23, and "the wages (or payment) for sin is death, but the gift of GOD is eternal life in JESUS CHRIST our LORD." Rom.6:23. Ray Comfort used the verse "The law of the LORD is perfect converting the soul." Psalm 19:7 He kept emphasising how the law, the 10 Commandments, shows us where we are sinners so that we will realize the sin disease we have and cry out to GOD, our GREAT PHYSICIAN, to heal us and forgive us through JESUS CHRIST, "By HIS stripes we are healed," I Peter 2:24. But GOD is also our JUDGE and because HE is just and good HE has to judge sin...HE cannot excuse it or overlook it. That is why HE sent CHRIST to pay for our sins on the Cross. John 3:16, "For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whosoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have everlasting life." There is no other way to get to heaven except through the blood of our dear LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST..."I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. No man cometh to the FATHER except through me." John 14:6

I mentioned Norman Geisler above (www.normangeisler.com) and the ministry he has is in the area of apologetics or defending our faith. He explained to us how our Bible was put together, there are over 5700 original manuscripts of the Bible verses 643 of Homer. There are thousands and thousands of archaeological findings that validate the history of the Bible, and the prophecies of the Bible that have already been fulfilled about JESUS just in Psalms alone are amazing.

A few of those include:
1. CHRIST will be resurrected from the grave. Ps.16:10. Fulfilled in Mark 16:6,7, Acts 13:35
2. GOD will forsake CHRIST in HIS moment of agony. Ps.22:1 Fulfilled in Matt. 27:46, Mark 15:34
3. CHRIST will be scorned and ridiculed. Psalm 22:7,8 Fulfilled in Matt. 27:39-43, Luke 23:45
4. CHRIST's hands and feet will be pierced. Ps. 22:16 Fulfilled in John 20:25,27, Acts 2:23
5. Other's will gamble for CHRIST's clothes. Ps. 22:18 Fulfilled in Matt. 27:35,36
6. Not one of CHRIST's bones will be broken. Ps. 22:34:20 Fulfilled in John 19:32,33,36.

These are taken from a chart from John MacArthur's Daily Devotion Bible on page 93. There are numerous other prophecies about CHRIST that have already been fulfilled and are included in the full chart. I have taken just a few to illustrate that Psalms was written from 1410 B.C. (Ps. 90), to the late sixth or early fifth century B.C.-hundreds of years before CHRIST came to earth and they were fulfilled to the exact detail when HE was here on earth. This is part of apologetics, "contending for the faith," as it says in Jude 3. "Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you "to contend earnestly for the faith..."

Our pastor (http://newlife-harvest.org/home/index.php), Andy Wisner, is currently preaching through Jude, a book in the New Testament that warns in the last days that "certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our GOD into lewdness and deny the only LORD GOD and our LORD JESUS CHRIST." Jude 4. This is exactly what Brannon S. Howse was explaining to us at the conference last Sat. night, how these men crept into our educational system, and churches and have quietly deceived the minds of America's youth and led them away from believing the truth of the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST. And this didn't just happen on secular campuses, but even more heartbreaking, CHRISTian schools and churches that were once sound in doctrine, became institutes for teaching false doctrine and leading our young people away from CHRIST. We are seeing in our culture today the results in our society as these young people, influenced by false teachers and other worldviews such as pagan spirituality, and one world spirituality grew up to be teachers, university professors, lawyers, doctors, pastors and and government officials and are leading our culture farther and farther away from CHRIST and a Biblical worldview.

We are in a fight, "a real fight of the faith," as it says in Jude, to "contend for the faith," and make sure that we are building in our hearts and the hearts of our families and those around us a Biblical worldview. As our children are going out in the world, and that world comes into our home through what we allow through TV, the internet, books we read, etc, and there are more and more influences that can "erode" their Biblical worldview and ours, our job as parents is not over but to continue to encourage them in building a "Biblical Worldview" in their own hearts, and influencing their world for CHRIST...being salt and light, as they see us walking with CHRIST, spending time in the Word individually and together, and setting that example for them.

Our kids aren't so little anymore, and it's been a long time since we gathered at the table to learn the "10 Fingers Way to Remember the 10 Commandments." Now they are spending more and more time away from home at college and a university, and we pray that their faith will not be shipwrecked as have so many who have been influenced by worldly philosophies and taught by false teachers. It's not as easy to protect them from the dangers of the world and the battle for their minds as when they were 5 and 7 or even 11 and 13. We have to trust and pray diligently for them that GOD's Word that's been hidden in their hearts will be that sword they can use to help them cut through the false teaching of this world...the lies of Satan that seek to destroy their souls. "For the WORD of GOD is living and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Heb. 4:12.

Through the Worldview Weekend Conference,(www.worldviewweekend.com) our pastor's sound biblical teaching, and my husband's desire to lead his family in the truth of Scripture through the years, GOD is reminding me over and over that we can't let our guard down. In fact all we have do to is look around us and see the changes going around and realize everyday more and more lines are being drawn in the sand. We need to pray for courage and boldness for each other and "contend for the faith." All those who desire to live godly in CHRIST JESUS will be persecuted." II Timothy 3:12.

As i write this, i am convicted as i examine areas in my own life and our family's life that are not consistent with a Biblical Worldview...we struggle with some of the choices we make. Our family is real, and we have the same struggles with our flesh that you do and the choices we make day in and day out what to put into our minds. That's why we need each other, to pray for one another, encourage one another, and build each other up in the faith and hold one another accountable. GOD told us in Hebrews Hebrews 10:25, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

I am so very thankful for my LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST who loved me enough to "rescue me from the domain of darkness and bring me into the kingdom of HIS glorious light." I Peter 2:9. HE was relentless to convict me of my sins as a teenager, and through that sin burden, HE led me to the foot of Calvary and washed me with HIS blood. I am so very thankful for my husband. GOD has given Johnny such a heart for defending HIS truth ever since he got saved at 25 and protected our family from so many dangers through the years through teaching us true biblical doctrine. I am so thankful for our pastor, Andy Wisner, as he shepherds us at New Life Baptist Church, and leads us in teaching us sound biblical doctrine, our church family, our homeschool family, you our family and friends who have prayed for us and encouraged us down through the years to walk in Biblical truth. One family i want to mention who has made a tremendous impact on our Biblical Worldview and millions of other families is that of Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo (www.gfi.org, www.growingkids.org). Through their parenting discipling ministry, GOD has used them to help shape our worldview, and use that knowledge in helping us to train our children with a Biblical worldview. You can order their resources for your family from their website.

I know i've shared a lot with you here and hopefully you will take time to look up some of the websites and can attend a Code Blue Rally near you. I encourage you to make time to attend one of the rally's when they come to your area...it really served to open my eyes to what's happening around us and how we came to this point...biblical prophecy is being fulfilled right before our eyes.
In closing i wanted to share one more website that gives you an update on the fight against the Freedom of Choice Act. I sent you an email about that a couple of weeks ago and this update reminded to be praying for that battle of our unborn.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=399060.

I love you and i hope i have not burdened you down with too much information. I haven't meant to scare you but wanted to share Biblical truth with you as it's been shared with us. Thanks so much for your love, your prayers and your dear encouragement to me and my family.

With all HIS love,
Mitzi

Martin Luther, that great reformationist who "contended for the faith," to lead CHRISTians away from the false teaching of Catholicism during the Middle Ages, penned these words in his fight for the TRUTH:

A Mighty Fortress is Our GOD by Martin Luther

A mighty fortress is our GOD, A bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe:
His craft and power are great
And armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be loosing;
Were not the right MAN on our side,
The MAN of GOD's own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be?
CHRIST JESUS, it is HE;
LORD SABAOTH HIS name,
From age to age the same,
And HE must win the battle.

And tho' this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for GOD hath willed
HIS truth to triumph through us
The Prince of Darkness grim,
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, For lo his doom is sure
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, No thanks to them, abideth
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Thro HIM who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill:
GOD's truth abideth still,
HIS kingdom is forever.






Here is a schedule of some upcoming Code Blue Rally's. (www.codebluerally.com)


Little Rock, Arkansas
February 7, 2009
Jackson, Tennessee
February 8, 2009
Dallas, Texas
February 14, 2009
Ft. Worth, Texas
February 15, 2009
Texarkana, Texas
February 21, 2009
Rogers/Bentonville, Arkansas
February 22, 2009
Macon, Georgia
February 28, 2009
Atlanta, Georgia
March 1, 2009
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
March 7, 2009
St. Louis Code Blue Rally
March 8, 2009
Richmond, Virginia
March 14, 2009
Northern Virginia
March 15, 2009
Cinncinati, Ohio
March 20, 2009
Indianapolis, IN
March 21, 2009
Evansville, Indiana
March 22, 2009
Lexington, Kentucky
April 4, 2009
Louisville, Kentucky
April 5, 2009
Branson, Missouri
April 24, 25 & 26, 2009
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
May 16, 2009
Chicago, Illinois
May 17, 2009
Little Rock, Arkansas
February 7, 2009
Jackson, Tennessee
February 8, 2009
Dallas, Texas
February 14, 2009
Ft. Worth, Texas
February 15, 2009
Texarkana, Texas
February 21, 2009
Rogers/Bentonville, Arkansas
February 22, 2009
Macon, Georgia
February 28, 2009
Atlanta, Georgia
March 1, 2009
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
March 7, 2009
St. Louis Code Blue Rally
March 8, 2009
Richmond, Virginia
March 14, 2009
Northern Virginia
March 15, 2009
Cinncinati, Ohio
March 20, 2009
Indianapolis, IN
March 21, 2009
Evansville, Indiana
March 22, 2009
Lexington, Kentucky
April 4, 2009
Louisville, Kentucky
April 5, 2009
Branson, Missouri
April 24, 25 & 26, 2009
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
May 16, 2009
Chicago, Illinois
May 17, 2009

"I Have Come By the Way of the Cross"

JESUS answered, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through ME."
John 14:6

Dear Friends
Last Sunday evening, Hannah Beth and i got dressed and ready to go see our friends the Greene's (www.thegreenesgospel.com) sing over at Underwood Baptist Church in Florence, Al. The drive was only about an hour from our house, and except for not having directions how to get there, i was really eager to get on the road and see them. John Mac had to do a repair job on the computer so we couldn't "google" the directions before we left. Thankfully, HB was able to get the address up on her phone (oh the miracle of technology) and with a quick call, we were able to get directions to the church. HB slept most of the way over, after having her friend Tab spend the weekend, so it was a quiet drive for me on the way over. The directions were great, and with a little assistance from HB, we made it to the church with 20 minutes to spare.
Underwood Baptist was packed when we arrived, including the balcony,and thankfully we found a seat right up front on the second row. The lady who sat beside us introduced herself and was so friendly and made us feel right at home, and i did...it's amazing how you can not know folks, and yet because you're one in the body of CHRIST, you are family and you are loved. After a few minutes, i caught my first sight of Tony Greene limping in, from gout, i think. He was limping the worst i'd ever seen, and he looked the tiredest i've ever seen him. They had been on the road for 10 days, and driven from Atlanta that morning where they sang at First Baptist Atlanta. This was their last stop before heading back home to Charlotte, NC for a few days rest before they headed out again. The service started and we sang along with the large choir up front, and had a time of greeting one another. Then it was time for the Greene's to sing. As ya'll know, we have been blessed to hear them sing many, many times now over the past 5 or 6 years we've come to know them, and always the LORD JESUS is lifted up and exalted and our hearts are encouraged in CHRIST.
When the Greene's got up to sing, Tony's tiredness seemed to disappear, and they sang "Miracle in Me," a song that became very special to me when their brother Tim was singing with them. As many of you know, Tim and i met at the clinic where he was being treated for mold exposure and me for pesticide poisoning. Tim couldn't walk and almost died before the LORD led him to the Environmental Health Center in Dallas, Texas for help several years ago. Now, Tim is pastoring a church in Calabash, North Carolina, along with serving the LORD in other ways, with his dear wife Amy and their two girls, Brittany and Brooklyn. Tim is not able to be on the road with the Greene's, for the same reasons i have trouble traveling, but GOD had a plan and has raised up some wonderful replacements for Tim through the years. HE has shown Tony and Taranda that HE is faithful to supply all their needs. As Tony and Taranda and Paul, Tim's replacement, sang "Miracle in Me," my mind always goes back to the miracle that CHRIST brought forth in my life...the miracle of when HE called me to be HIS child, when HE drew me to an altar at Central Baptist Church in Decatur, AL, and by HIS grace, I surrendered my life to HIM...that was the beginning of my "Miracle in Me." My journey continues each and every day, and CHRIST becomes more and more real to me through the twists and turns of this life...especially in the "dark nights of my soul."
I had been listening to the Greene's on my ipod at home last week, getting "primed" for the concert. They sang two songs at the concert Sunday night that had really spoken to me as i listened to them earlier in the week. When Tony started sharing about their friends, the Crofts, who had almost given up on GOD because of all the trials they had been through, I knew he was about to sing, "I Can't Even Walk Without YOU Holding My Hand." GOD gave the Crofts this song in the midst of their "dark night of the soul," that has encouraged countless believers through the years who were going through desperated struggles, including me. I've used those lyrics more than once in my emails, because GOD continues to teach me that lesson over and over in my life, as i too have learned that "I Can't Even Walk," without HIM holding my hand. As Tony literally hobbled slowly down off the podium holding on to the speaker stand as he limped heavily down the steps to make his way down the aisle to sing...he shared that when he was 18 he looked his parents in the eye and told them he could do things by himself and didn't need them anymore. Not an exact quote, but it was something like that. I could relate to him declaring "his independence." My own declaration was not so blatant, but when the LORD called Johnny and i to be "foreign missionaries," we both were only too thrilled to move away to Ft. Worth Texas, for Johnny to attend seminary and me nursing school and exert our "independence," though his family was very much still helping us out financially. When the LORD called us back to Athens, 5 years later, and i was broken in health, and my husband returned to the family restaurant business instead of full time ministry, it hurt, and it hurt a lot...and it was very humbling. Yet the LORD in HIS graciousness was teaching us humility, dependence on HIM, and that yes, we did indeed need our family, and they needed us...and GOD had a plan for us in Athens, Al. Tony later shared Sunday night that when his Daddy died suddenly a few years ago that he not only lost his Daddy, he lost his best friend in the world. Tony had long ago made his amends with his parents and they faithfully served the LORD as they traveled together as a family singing the gospel until his Dad's health caused him to retire from the road.

That second verse shares...
"I thought I had done 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 with YOU holding my hand."

Yes...i can relate to that a whole lot Tony Greene and how thankful I am the LORD has graciously shown me that...though it sure did hurt.

Tony, who was born with one kidney and he only discovered that a few years ago, had complete renal failure last summer. He was 39 years old with a 2 month old, and 3 year old at the time. He said when the doctors told him he needed to have surgery so he could take dialysis through a port in his stomach (he is awaiting a kidney transplant from his wife, Taranda, this May), he said he didn't want to do that. He said an old country preacher whispered in his ear, this may have taken you by surprise Tony, but GOD isn't panicked up in heaven. Tony shared that after that, he told the LORD if the LORD could bring more glory to HIMself through Tony having to take dialysis four times a day (and he does that on the bus when they travel), that he would surrender to that. As one who has followed the Greene's for the past several years, i can tell you, HE is bringing more glory to HIMself through Tony's suffering...and it's always when the Greene's are going through difficult times that CHRIST is the most powerful through them, just as it's true in my life and yours.

They sang another song that has been ministering to me called, "GOD DID," that Phil Cross wrote. In that song, i am reminded that GOD did it all to save me:
"The teacher could not move me to understand, the preacher could not reach me to take my hand,
Who came when i was caught to rescue me, who looked beyond my fault and saw my need...GOD Did."

Wow, how many teachers and preachers had i listened to before GOD rescued me and opened my eyes up to who HE is and gave me understanding and forgave me of my sins? GOD did it all for me, and HE does it all for each one of us whom HE has called and chosen to be HIS own..."For it is by free grace (GOD's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of CHRIST's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves-of your own doing, it came not through your own striving-but it is the gift of GOD. Ephesians 2:8 Amplified.
Taranda, Tony's wife, who CHRIST just keeps making her more and more powerful as she sings, and HE is so powerful through her, sang a song I had never heard before called, "I Have Come by the Way of the Cross." I'm sorry i don't know who wrote it, i wasn't able to find out that information, but it told the story of the Cross from the perspective of the thief who hung beside JESUS on the Cross. That song touched all of our hearts... and brought the crowd to our feet for a standing ovation for the LORD. I knew it was powerful when i heard it, but it wasn't until later that i was listening to it on the way home with Hannah Beth that the words really started sinking in...

"I Have Come By the Way of the Cross"

"Condemdemned to die on a cross for crimes he had done,
He was guilty everyone could see,
But his destiny was changed when he looked at CHRIST and said,
When your kingdom comes remember me."
In paradise that day he stood just like the LORD said that he would
Surrounded by those who had gone before.
And one said, "Friend how do you come, what are the deeds you have done?"
With tears in his eyes I can hear him reply:

"There are no merits to my name, no works that i can claim,
HE who brought me here told me to say...
"I have come by the way of the cross, I have come by the way of the cross...
It is nothing i have done, it is the suffering of GOD's SON... I have come by the way of the cross."

I had nothing to claim but my guilt and my shame
Hopelessly lost i could not find my way
Then HIS glorious light of love shown down on me
HIS mercy washed all my sin away
And what HE did for me that day,
Was a price i know HE paid
And by HIS grace I too can say....forever say...

"I have come by the way of the cross
I have come by the way of the cross
It is nothing i have done
It is the suffering of GOD's Son
I have come by the way...

I see millions gathered round the throne from every kindred and tongue
Those redeemed by the blood of the LAMB
And as they cast their crowns down at HIS feet this will be their story,
This will be their song...

"We have come by the way of the Cross, we have come by the way of the Cross,"
It is nothing we have done, it is the suffering of GOD's Son
We have come by the way, we have come by the way, we have come by the way...
Of the Cross, by the old rugged Cross, by the Cross, by the old Rugged Cross, by the Cross!

Last week, i shared my "Cardboard Testimony" with you that i used to glory in my abilities, and believe me i still do at times. GOD has graciously given me a "thorn in the flesh" through my infirmities to remind me , that "I Can't Even Walk " Without Him Holding my Hand...and from time to time HE lets me bite the dust. It is then HE whispers to me that "HIS grace is sufficient for me and HIS power is made perfect in my weakness. Therefore I will gladly boast in my weaknesses that the power of CHRIST may rest on me." II Cor. 12:9,10. GOD has used the Greene's to be a living demonstration of this verse in my life since i met them...because i can see and feel HIS power in their weakness.


Tony and Taranda, in humility, both share their weaknesses, and don't try to hide them and GOD gets the glory. When the Greene's suffer, you can count on this... GOD is going to save more souls, and more folks are going to be encouraged and strengthened through the ministry GOD has called them to, to encourage the saints and share the gospel of JESUS CHRIST wherever they go. GOD throws in some extra perks along the way, like Taranda being "Favorite Female Vocalist" in 2007, along with a number one song, "Sky Full of Angels, " and blessing them with two beautiful little girls, Belle and Josie, when the doctors told them they could never have children. He does that for the Greene's, and encourages them, and rewards them with HIS loving kindness and HE does that for me and you...HIS mercies are new every morning and along with the struggles comes HIS "sweetness," and HIS favor if we will but look for it in the midst of the hard times. Tony shared that HE has never walked as close to the LORD as HE has this year since HE had his surgery and has been taking dialysis four times a day...the "sweetness of the LORD," to reveal HIMself in the hard struggles and that's what HE does over and over and over for you and me.

"The mark of rank in nature
Is capacity for pain;
And the anquish of the singer
Makes the sweetness of the strain."
-Streams in the Desert, Jan 21


As i shared that "Cardboard Testimony," last week, i realized that i hadn't shared my salvation testimony with you, ... i shared more how GOD has dealt with me since HE rescued me from my sin. "I Have Come By the Way of the Cross...it is nothing i have done, it's through the suffering of GOD's Son" is my salvation testimony, and though i tried many times to pray my way in by responding to altar calls, and going up during countless invitations...I came away the same person. I wasn't "born again," (John 3:3) or a "new creature" in CHRIST (ll Cor. 5:17) and i was still lost in my sin, "condemned to die," until CHRIST saved me by HIS grace, HIS amazing grace...and brought me in "By the Way of the Cross." I can't tell you exactly how it happened...i just know that "GOD Did it all for me." How thankful i am to HIM for paying my debt for my sin on the Cross of Calvary and bringing me to HIM, "by the Way of the Cross."
As i mentioned above, HB and i were eager to go see the Greene's but not having the directions to the church made me a little apprehensive about starting out on our journey and unsure of our destination. I had a general idea of how to get there but not exactly. What a blessing it was when one of the church members answered the phone at Underwood Baptist and told me the way to come. I'm sure there were many ways to get to Underwood Baptist Church...but there is only ONE way to receive forgiveness for our sins, have a personal relationship with JESUS CHRIST and live in heaven with HIM and our brothers and sisters in CHRIST forever. Many have a general knowledge of how to get to heaven, but unlike Underwood Baptist Church, there is only one way to the FATHER and that way, is through HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST, "by the Way of the Cross," John 14:6. "For GOD so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that HE [even] gave up HIS only-begotten (unique) SON, so that whoever believes in (trusts, clings to, relies on) HIM shall not perish-come to destruction, be lost-but have eternal (everlasting) life. John 3:16 Amplified. May we be ever be diligent to tell others how they too can know JESUS CHRIST as their LORD and SAVIOR and spend eternity with HIM...sharing faithfully, "I Have Come By the Way of the Cross."

With all HIS love,
mitzi


"For CHRIST, the Messiah, sent me out not to baptize but to (evangelize by) preaching the glad tidings (the Gospel); and that not with verbal eloquence, lest the cross of CHRIST should be deprived of force and emptied of its power and rendered vain-fruitless, void of value and of no effect.
For the story and message of the cross is sheer absurdity and folly to those who are perishing and on their way to perdition, but to us who are being saved it is the [manifestaton of] the power of GOD.
For it is written, I will baffle and render useless and destroy the learning of the learned and the philosophy of the philosophers and the cleverness of the clever and the discernment of the discerning, I will frustrate and nullify [them] and bring [them] to nothing. [Isaiah 29:14].
Where is the wise man-the philospher? Where is the scribe-the scholar? Where is the investigator-the logician, the debater-of this present time and age? Has not GOD shown up the nonsense and the folly of this world's wisdom?
For when the world with all its earthly wisdom failed to perceive and recognize and know GOD by means of its own philosophy, GOD in HIS wisdom was pleased through the foolishness of preaching [of salvation, procured by CHRIST and to be had through HIM], to save those who believed-who clung to and trusted in and relied on HIM."
I Corinthians 1:17-21 Amplified


I have included a video of "By the Way of the Cross," from You Tube. It's not Taranda singing it, but whoever is singing does a beautiful job...to GOD be the glory!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyZDhk4YfFU&feature=related

"We all have a story..." Part ll

..."Now thanks be unto GOD WHO always leads us forth to triumph with the ANOINTED ONE, and WHO diffuses by us the fragrance of the knowledge of HIM in every place."
2 Corinthians 2:14

Dear Friends,

Wow...how 'bout that Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators-National College Football Champions for the 2nd time in three years! In case you're like me and live "under a rock," part of the time (I'm not so hot at keeping up with current events it seems), Tim is the junior quarterback at the University of Florida, and won the Heisman Trophy last year. Last Thursday night, they played the Oklahoma Sooners for the National Championship, and man, was it a great game. I really enjoyed watching these two teams, very evenly matched, battling it out for the rights to be the best football team in all of college football. All throughout the game were references to Tim Tebow and what a young man of character he was, and how he was born in the Philippines to missionaries. There were enough references that made me really more curious about who this powerhouse of a football player was... and as you women know, we women, like the "real life" story's about folks. I knew Tim was a CHRISTian from what little I have watched him before, and heard our friends, the Radcliffe's, who are Gator fans, talk about him. I was excited when the Gators won and when Tim was interviewed after the game and had his helmet off, I was so impressed with his black stuff under his eyes bearing the witness of John 3:16. My husband said, " Are you just now noticing that?" Yeah.. i was, I'm not the most observant person in the world, and i was so impressed with his bold witness for CHRIST...his courage inspired me to be more of a bold witness for my LORD and SAVIOR. I wasn't disappointed when Tim was handed the microphone during an interview after the game when they were presented with the championship trophy and he gave the glory to his LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST...yep, think I've become a Gator fan till Tim Tebow graduates!
I looked up Tim on the internet earlier this week and was interested in reading some about "his story."..and that of his family. In fact I've included the website below for you to read yourself and be blessed by what GOD is doing through this young man and his family. I read in a couple of different places that when Tim was a baby his Mother contracted amoebic dysentery, and several doctors encouraged her to get an abortion because of the strong drugs she would have to take to kill the amoeba, and she was very sick and dehydrated. GOD gave Tim's parents the courage and strength not to do what the doctor's suggested, but they prayed and trusted GOD for this little one, the baby of 5 children. GOD knew the plan He had for this young man and though satan is not all knowing like GOD, he sure seemed like he was doing his best to destroy this young man before HE could be used by CHRIST in the way that he is being used- to bring glory to GOD through the platform of football. GOD, as HE always does, won the victory...and what seemed like a life destined for utter defeat before this little one left his Mother's womb, was turned into triumph for our LORD JESUS CHRIST..."Now thanks be unto GOD WHO always leads us forth to triumph with the ANOINTED ONE, and WHO diffuses by us the fragrance of the knowledge of HIM in every place." 2 Corinthians 2:14. Wow, when you watch Tim, and start reading about his parent's and his family's life, you know that CHRIST is using them to share the fragrance of the knowledge of CHRIST in every place including the "platform of the football arena."
One of the things that I read about Tim is that his priorities in life are 1) JESUS CHRIST 2) His family 3) His education and 4) Football. It's pretty clear that when you examine this young man's life that he glories, not in accomplishments in football, but in HIS LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. His Mom and Dad have prayed for him and raised him up in the nurture of a loving CHRISTian family, but only GOD could give Tim a new heart and put HIS HOLY SPIRIT inside of him to be as passionate about CHRIST that he is...you just can't teach that or fake that...it has to come from CHRIST and a living and personal relationship with JESUS CHRIST. Jeremiah 9:23,24 reminds me of what GOD says we should glory in...that we understand and know HIM instead of glorying in our wisdom, our might, or our riches. It all comes from GOD whatever we have to glory in...the talents that HE gives us are all from HIM, and HE provides the resources to develop those talents and HE is the one who blesses us with strength and riches. "Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches, but let him who glories glory in this that he understands and knows ME, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD.


What a refreshing story is Tim Tebow and his family in this day and time of self glory every where we turn. What an inspiring story! I hope you'll take time to read this little clip about him and his family, and watch the video of his mission trip to the Philippine's last year...and like me, you just may become a Gator fan since Tim's sticking around for his senior year instead of going pro. http://beyondtheultimate.org/athletes/Tim-Tebow.aspx?gclid=CMPF8K3VjpgCFRKAxgodjj05Og

I didn't really mean to have a second part when i wrote that last week about "We All Have a Story..." but throughout the course of this week, I've been continuing to think about the stories that GOD writes in and through all of our lives. The things that seem to be most adverse, difficult, unfriendly and unfavorable are the very things HE is using to write the chapters that bring HIM the most glory, us the most good, and that HE uses to encourage and strengthen others hearts and lead them to a saving relationship in JESUS CHRIST.

You know i have written a lot about my sickness in these emails, because, well, it's a BIG part of my story. Not the chapters I would have chosen to include in my story...I would much rather have gloried in my "might" a few years ago and the accomplishments GOD has blessed to give in my life. But it's through my story of sickness that GOD has chosen to make me weak, that "CHRIST's power might rest upon me," II Cor. 12:10. For the past 10 years GOD has poured out HIS grace upon me through the doctors and staff in Dallas, Texas at the Environmental Health Clinic-(www.ehcd.com) where HE is slowly but surely restoring my health...and then there's heaven:). I had been sick 9 years prior to that time going from doctor to doctor trying to find answers. Praise the LORD for HIS goodness in helping me through our dear doctors, who have suffered with the similar struggles their patients are going through. One day while we sitting in the allergy testing room, waiting our turn to get "stuck," one of the patients said, "You know, Dr. Rea says we should look at our sickness as a gift." And i thought, wow, has he been reading Elisabeth Elliot? That's the same thing she says about suffering, and as I've walked down the road a few years , with a chronic thorn in the flesh, i realize that it has indeed been a gift. I read a devotion from Streams in the Desert while i was out there the very first time, and though it wasn't the right date, it was January 11, and i was there from Easter till the end of May, it was the right devotion for exactly where the LORD JESUS had faithfully led me. The words said,

"Store up comfort. This was the prophet's mission. The world is full of comfortless hearts, and ere thou are sufficient for this lofty ministry, thou must be trained. And thy training is costly in the extreme; for, to render it perfect, thou too must pass through the same afflictions as are wringing countless hearts of tears and blood. Thus thy own life becomes the hospital ward where thou art taught the divine art of comfort. Thou art wounded, that in the binding up of thy wounds by the GREAT PHYSICIAN, thou mayest learn how to render first aid to the wounded everywhere. Dost thou wonder why thou art passing through some special sorrow? Wait till ten years are passed, and thou wilt find many others afflicted as thou art. Thou wilt tell them how thou hast suffered and hast been comforted; then as the tale is unfolded, and the anodynes applied which once thy GOD wrapped around thee, in the eager look and the gleam of hope that shall chase the shadow of despair across the soul, thou shalt know why thou wast afflicted, and bless GOD for the discipline that stored thy life with such a fund of experience and helpfulness.-selected

Well, 10 years down the road, GOD seems to have used my story to help encourage others who are walking along the same path that HE has led me. HE has used my doctors' story's, who suffer with similar type issues, to encourage me and bring help and healing to the patients that HE brings there from literally all over the world. And he has definitely used my fellow patient's, many of you who have become dear friends, to teach me and encourage me along this path. My chapters of "sickness" are not the chapters I would have chosen to write in my story, this sickness i have wrestled with for most of my adult life now, but this is where God has taught me so many lessons of faith, humility, trust, and blessed me with an education that some of the finest medical schools in the land couldn't compare with...just wish i could remember it all:).

Last week, i shared that a dear friend of mine has recently been experiencing a chapter of her story that she never dreamed would be included...that of her husband committing adultery. Please continue to remember this dear family in your prayers. Another friend of mine experienced a similar trial in her marriage several years ago, and GOD brought her and her family through that difficult time "more than conquerors. " This friend was only too willing to reach out to my other friend and be a source of strength and encouragement to her and give her hope that GOD can heal her marriage just as HE has hers, and share with her the valuable lessons she learned in CHRIST as she went through that difficult time...lessons such as hope, unfailing love, perserving prayer, forgiveness and seeing her husband come to know CHRIST and repent of his ways.

Often times, i would say most of the time, our greatest conflicts in life, are the greatest chapters in our stories...those conflicts that leave us wailing on the floor before our Creator, stripped of all our self sufficiency and casting ourselves utterly on HIM for HIS mercy to be poured out upon us. Romans 8:37 says, "In all these things we are more than conquerors through HIM that loved us..." In all these things we are more than conquerors." What were these things...they are tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, sword, and death, as it shares in Romans 8:35. That about covers all the bases...and not only are we "more than conquerors" but as Streams in the Desert shares, this is more than victory, this is a triumph so complete that we have not only escaped defeat and destruction, but we have destroyed our enemies and won a spoil so rich and valuable that we can thank GOD the battle ever came. How can we be "more than conquerors"? We can get out of the conflict a spiritual discipline that will greatly strengthen our faith and establish our spiritual character...our spiritual conflicts are among our choices blessings, and our great adversary is used to train us for his ultimate defeat...so it is possible for us in our spiritual life through the victorious grace of GOD to turn to account the things that seem most unfriendly and unfavorable, and to be able to say continually, "These things that were against me have happened to the furtherance of the gospel."
Streams goes on to say,"...it has been commonly thought that protected ease is the most favorable condition of life, whereas all the noblest and strongest lives prove on the contrary that the endurance of hardship is the making of the men, and the factor that distinguishes between existence and vigorous vitality. Hardship makes character." Streams in the Desert, Jan. 13

I've written a lot here about being "more than conquerors through HIM that loved us," and JESUS CHRIST is the key to our trials crushing us or making us "more than conquerors. " The starting place is a personal relationship with HIM who loves us so much HE gave HIS life on the cross that we might have everlasting life... "For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only SON. Whoever puts his trust in GOD's SON will not be lost but will have life that lasts forever." John 3:16(New Life Version)

My dear friends, the Greenes, www.thegreenesgospel.com , whom i met their brother Tim at the clinic in Texas several years ago while he was being treated for mold poisoning, have a tremendous story of their own. For the past 30 years they have traveled all over this country telling and singing what JESUS CHRIST has done for them in the good times and the very, very hard times, and what CHRIST has done for all of us on the Cross of Calvary. Their lives are like mine and yours full of the grace and mercies of GOD...HE has blessed their socks off in the midst of the most severe suffering...and I've heard them share many times, "they live what they sing." I do love this dear family who is so transparent and shares their victories, their joys, and their sorrows, and sings the gospel of our glorious LORD and SAVIOR week end and week out. This coming Sunday night they will be in our area in Florence, Al at the Underwood Baptist Church at 6:00 p.m. Been listening to a song over and over this week,the Greene's sing that shares why we can be "more than conquerors through him that loved us..." it's all because of the blood of JESUS CHRIST. Tony who is a master story teller, and will have you laughing one minute and crying the next, shares the story that one morning he was going to eat breakfast out at Bojangles there in Boone, NC where they were living at the time, and he found a cassette tape in his mailbox. The cassette was wrapped in a brown paper wrapper with a rubber band around it. Tony shares he didn't think much of it, they were always getting songs people wanted them to sing...but this song, sent to him by a little old lady was written by her daughter i believe, has proven to be one of their most powerful and requested songs throughout their singing careers...a song that has touched my heart over and over as I listened to it through the years-"The Blood Covered it All."

"The Blood Covered It All" by Lucy Hemingway

Have you ever tried to measure one sin
Seeking forgiveness when your heart knows within
Our GOD will not judge us on how big or how small
He just looks for Calvary's blood to cover it all.

Oh the blood, the blood covered it all,
Love has no boundaries, sins debt's paid in full.
JESUS knew in the beginning that man would surely fall
But I'm glad my SAVIOR's precious blood covered it all

Just try to imagine how this miracle took place
Love beyond measure its GOD's amazing grace
Sometimes when I get weary, I might stumble and fall,
But just one drop of HIS precious blood covered it all.



As i close, i wanted to give you another chance to watch the video i shared last week called "Cardboard Testimonies." I've watched this video over and over and it blesses my socks off every time i watch it and think of what my great GOD has done in each of these lives...lives i don't have a clue who they are, but the same GOD who reached down and saved me and loves me and is writing my story is the same one who is doing miracles in their lives. If you didn't get a chance to watch it last week, or just want to be blessed again by our great GOD and HIS lovingkindness and tender mercies...here it is:

http://www.rhchurch.org/pages/cardboard-testimonies/

As i have thought about my own cardboard testimony this week i thought it might go something like this:

Gloried in athletics, academic, spiritual achievements... broken in health.
Now i..."Glory in my weaknesses that CHRIST's power may rest on me."

I'm sorry, i can't write anything short, is seems,...even my "Cardboard Testimony." But we all have a story, a story like Tim Tebow, that GOD wants us to tell to "spread the fragrance of the knowledge of HIM" through our lives in every place. Tell the story that GOD has given you and watch GOD use it to bring glory to HIMself, encourage others, and draw them to our dear LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST.

With all HIS love,
Mitzi

"We All Have a Story..."

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all HIS benefits, who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies."
Psalm 103:2-4

Dear Friends,

It sure does seem like it's been a long time since I've written you. I didn't mean to take a break...it just happened that way. I have missed you and I hope that you and your family had a good CHRISTmas. I know some of you didn't, it was the worse you've ever experienced and if anything i write seems callous, please forgive me. I don't mean to be insensitive to your situation...in fact, it's "for such a time as this" that CHRIST came to bring hope, healing, and forgiveness in the midst of our "darkness nights..." The MIRACLE of CHRISTmas, JESUS CHRIST, sure didn't come into our world in perfect circumstances, though HE was perfect and sinless, but to heal us from our sin, give us hope and grant us HIS peace in the midst of tribulation. If you don't have time to read the whole email this week, please be sure and take time to watch the video below...it sure is powerful and a living testimony of the hope and healing that JESUS CHRIST brings to our "impossible situations." Thank you, Shelia, for sharing it with me.

I've had many thoughts running through my mind these past few weeks and a verse the LORD keeps bringing me back to is the one above-"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all HIS benefits, who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies."
Psalm 103:2-4. One of the highlights of my CHRISTmas season was to take our calendar from this past year, an idea my friend Wanda shared with me, and as a family we sat down and go back through last year's calendar. GOD reminded us of HIS benefits to us that HE has blessed us so lavishly with...like Johnny's hip replacement surgery going well in January, and we all survived his rehab...what a blessing to even remember that several weeks and months before that time, Johnny had gotten where he couldn't walk much, and couldn't sit at the table to enjoy meals with us...what a special blessing to be able to sit at the table together. Benefits like being blessed with plenty, and Johnny being able to work, and GOD sending folks to eat at the restaurant, though the economy is struggling and we had to tighten our belts, but GOD has blessed us with plenty. Benefits like doing the best I've ever done on my allergy shots and not having to return to the clinic in Dallas, TX for retesting for a year and a half...though i do miss seeing my friends out there. This has been my longest time ever not to have to return since I've been going since 1999 and I'm so thankful for GOD using my doctors in Dallas to help me so much. John Mac being picked Most Outstanding Math and Physics Student at the largest community college in Alabama...to GOD be the glory for HIS faithfulness and for the favor HE showed my son. This home school Mom taught him no math probably since the 6th grade,(my brain just doesn't work that way too well anymore) and John Mac did struggle with Math during high school. Just the other day i saw a prayer request that i had jotted down in an old journal, asking the LORD to help my children with their school work, particularly my son in Algebra where he was struggling. That was a few years ago...talk about GOD answering your prayer "exceeding abundantly beyond all i ask or thought," wow! What a benefit from our faithful LORD! GOD has blessed Hannah Beth in so many areas like the rest of us, and she made it through her 1st year of driving without having an accident...Praise the LORD! I managed to back into two cars last year...thankfully, no damage was done to us, just my pride, our car, and the cars behind me...both of them new, sorry Daniel...you sure had a great attitude when i crunched your new sports car. How we thank HIM for the work HE is doing in all of our hearts, not just through the "good" times, but especially the trying times where we grow and depend on HIM the most.

GOD has poured out so many benefits on our family, as HE has yours. Many of those benefits came through you our dear friends, new friends the LORD has so blessed us with this year that was totally unexpected, the Hembree's from Mobile, and our dear homeschool friends from Excalibur and the wonderful time we had together at the Ladies Retreat last year. We drew closer to dear friends at church, and through email (I love hearing from you!), being reacquainted with old friends like the Ezzo's (www.gfi.org) who have encouraged us so much in our parenting. We got to see them in July for the first time in over 10 years, and what a blessing that was to our hearts. What an unexpected blessing the LORD gave us when HE brought the Parkers who ran for Congress and other old friends back into our lives that we knew from the campaign years ago. We were blessed to work and pray hard together on a common goal...and learn the hard lessons that only come with being told "NO" through defeat. Your love as our dear friends and family has been such a tremendous joy and benefit to us in our lives and we thank GOD for you.
Benefits have come my way through lessons CHRIST has taught me while trying to reach out in faith and love to someone who is very dear to me. Through the ups and downs of trying to build this relationship, CHRIST has taught me that HE is my FRIEND that sticks closer than a brother," HE is my LODGE of LOVE, who loves me with HIS everlasting, intimate, and personal love. HE gives me true and lasting peace and joy in the midst of sorrow and heartache. HE is teaching me to have faith in HIM to lead and guide my footsteps especially when my path seems shaky at best and i stumble and fall, to wait on HIM, to love with HIS unconditional love, to pray without ceasing, to forgive...and to marvel at HIS goodness when HE comes crashing through and encourages me along the way that HE is indeed working, and HE will "perfect that which concerns me" Psalm 138:8. All these are done only through HIS benefits, His grace, and the power of HIS HOLY SPIRIT. "For it is GOD who is at work in you to will and to work for HIS good pleasure..."Phil 2:13. That verse sure does bring me peace when i seem to make a mess of things over and over...along with "My grace is sufficient for you for My power is made perfect in weakness." II Cor. 12:9-I think Paul wrote that verse just for me:).

Another dear blessing and benefit from CHRIST is that both sets of our parents are still alive and pretty healthy. We were able to enjoy CHRISTmas with both sides of our families on CHRISTmas Day...thank ya'll Tracy and Cheryl, Drew, Lee and Nicholas for traveling from Texas, and Jill and Dennis, from Florida, and Lizzy from Mississippi, Joe and Marilyn, Dusty from Missouri, and Dallas from Huntsville, and Ralph, Wendy, Daniel, and Melissa from here so that we could all be together. The "white elephant" gifts were a lot of fun, thank you for that suggestion, Tracy...and hope Mom and Dad enjoyed their "gift" for their 61st wedding anniversary New Years Eve:). Praise the LORD for giving our parents the grace to weather the storms of 61 years...and it does take a lot of grace and forgiveness... there's a whole lot of forgiveness in all those years....what a tremendous benefit and special blessing from the LORD.
At our extended family gathering at our Uncle Mickey's I was reminded of another wonderful benefit of last year...that of the LORD saving my Uncle Mick who is in his mid sixties. The whole tone of our gathering was different than in past years, and a whole lot of forgiveness has taken place in our extended family for past offenses that have occurred due to broken relationships. What a blessing it was when Uncle Mick welcomed us all to his house in his gentle way, and invited my Daddy, out of his respect for him, to ask the blessing for the meal. Most of my Daddy's family was there, and lot's of our cousins and Aunt's and Uncle's including my 84 year old Aunt Van, my namesake (my middle name) who keeps a check on my kid's by keeping up with their Facebook...she's something else having her own Facebook at her age! I am thankful that GOD blessed our families on both sides with lots of love and have modeled for us the importance of loving our family's and extended families.

Another benefit and longtime desire of mine that GOD brought to fruition in my life was the opening of a Publix grocery store about a mile down the road from us. For years i have had to order food from a food coop,. Thank you dear Wahl's and Anderson's for your dear friendship and help in this, or travel to Huntsville or Madison to buy organic foods that i can by right down the street now! This may not be a big deal to you, but this was a long time desire of mine to be able to buy healthier food closer to home ...and GOD brought it to fruition. Every time i go in there i just smile and marvel at what GOD has done for me:). Several years ago, it was 'rumored' that Publix was going to build in our area, and for several years nothing happened...until, one day, it was announced in our local paper that Publix was indeed planning to build in an area right down the street from us. GOD reminded me through that long time of delayed desire, that HE is faithful. Though it takes years sometime to bring about HIS plans, "He will accomplish what HE purposes and plans. "The LORD has done what HE purposed, HE has accomplished what HE has planned," Lamentations 2:17. He does that for us and HE puts those desires in our hearts often long years before HE brings them to fruition...in the meantime we are to "delight in HIM." "Delight yourself in the LORD and HE will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in HIM and HE will do this; HE will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for HIM; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret-it leads only to evil." Psalm 37:4-8. Praise the LORD...and i do praise HIM for all HIS benefits. I could go on and on, praising my SAVIOR for HIS benefits, bringing us safely through another year, drawing us closer to HIM, and being so faithful in every way to supply all our needs in CHRIST JESUS and so very many of our wants.

The next part of this verse reminds me of what I wrote in the opening paragraph, the benefit of HIM who "forgive all your iniquities." We did have a good CHRISTmas but for me, personally, it was a difficult CHRISTmas in many ways. A few weeks ago, i remembered reading something and praying "LORD show me my sin." Once again HE took me at my word and answered that prayer. A few days before CHRISTmas, Johnny came in and had sold something of his personally to be able to give something special to the kids and me and others for CHRISTmas. He had previously said we weren't going to give each other gifts, and i started "balking" at that and saying he could use some of that money he just got from what he sold to buy me a little something, totally unselfish of me...after all i had already bought him something:). Well, he wouldn't act like he was even considering getting me something, and that didn't sit too well with me...and i let him know it:). Unbeknownst to me, John Mac was gone that very minute to purchase Dad's CHRISTmas gift to me...a new laptop! I felt pretty badly CHRISTmas morning when i opened it and saw what he surprised me with...but that isn't all. CHRISTmas morning, i was having a bad reaction from a shot that wasn't working properly (i think the time is drawing near to go see my friends in Texas:),, but when i opened the computer that Johnny and my family was so excited for me to see, i shortly started crying afterwards, overcome by the chemicals from the new computer, compounded by the reaction from the allergy shot. This didn't make for the reaction Johnny had hoped i would have. In fact, i asked him to take it back, and then some other "expectations" of mine and his were disappointed. I was just having myself a pity party come CHRISTmas morning by 9:00a.m. Yeah, the day started with a bang! I took a walk later on, to cool off, and called my friend Wanda and asked her to pray for me...i was really struggling, and seems like it just came out of nowhere, this CHRISTmas morning gone awry...but i knew where it came from, our "Adversary, the devil prowls about like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour... I Peter 5:8." He seeks to devour those who love CHRIST and serve HIM...your family and mine. I know that the devil doesn't have to be around for me to sin...I can do it all on my own, but just seemed like there was a little extra going on that morning and throughout the CHRISTmas season in my life and some of yours. Wanda and I didn't talk long, but she prayed for me, and i can tell you by the time i was on my way home, walking out in the woods and field, the LORD had me on my knees, with a shout of joy in my heart, praising HIM. Talk about a fast answer to prayer, HE completely changed my attitude, and i decided to keep the computer, it would eventually air out, and ask forgiveness for my behavior from my family and the LORD. CHRISTmas Day went a whole lot better from that point on. What a blessing it is that my family forgave me all because of what CHRIST has done for us on the Cross...and i forgave them too:). Seeing my husband sacrifice something of his personally,(he does everyday as he goes to work to provide for our family), to be able to "provide" a good CHRISTmas for his family really touched my heart with the depth of his love for us. It was to me truly a picture of CHRIST's love for us...and reminded me of what GOD sacrificed for us, HIS Son, that we could have forgiveness of our sins and eternal life. "For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten Son that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

I remember thinking CHRISTmas day when i was wallowing in my self pity, that CHRIST was showing me how much i need a SAVIOR, the very thing we were celebrating that day...the birth of our dear LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. If i don't realize what a sinner i am, then how can i be truly grateful for the gift that is mine in CHRIST JESUS, the gift of forgiveness for my sins,? How can I forgive others when they trespass against me, if I haven't experienced the forgiveness that CHRIST has imparted to me through HIS gift of salvation? How i thank the LORD for teaching me these lessons in a more real way over the CHRISTmas holidays. Those weren't the only turbulences over the holidays...there continued to be more opportunities to practice forgiveness and be forgiven with a close relative... we had some heated words over some past offenses (there are reason's the Bible warns us not to let the sun go down on our anger, Ephesians 4:26. Keeping anger in our hearts allows a "root of bitterness" to take root, grow in our hearts, causing trouble and defiling many...as it shares in Heb. 12:15. Well, i saw that up close and in person in my own heart, as i had been letting some seeds of bitterness take root and grow for several months. Thankfully, there was later restoration in our relationship through forgiving one another. If that wasn't enough lessons for me in the forgiveness department, i deeply offended another person that I dearly love by doing something they asked me not to do... so yes, it was a tough CHRISTmas for me in many ways. Yes, i am so thankful the LORD JESUS, through the price HE paid on Calvary, forgives all my iniquities and gives us the grace to extend forgiveness and be forgiven by those we've offended...what blessed benefits are ours in CHRIST JESUS.



The part about healing all our diseases...what a blessing that is to me. I know this, that CHRIST has healed my sin disease completely, and though i still sin each and every day, and need a "foot washing" for those sins to restore fellowship with HIM and those i sin against, all my sins are covered under the precious blood of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS forever and ever. When CHRIST looks at me, HE sees me covered in HIS robe of righteousness, not the filthy wicked heart i once had before HE gave me a new heart. As far as my physical diseases, wow HE has brought me through a lot, a whole lot...and you've read some of it here. How i thank HIM and praise HIM for healing me from "fibromyalgia," scarlet fever, arthritic pain all over my body that i couldn't hold Hannah Beth very much as an infant (thankfully she didn't seem to want to be held then, and saved her snuggling for these later years-Praise the LORD!), Candida , adrenal fatigue, thyroid issues, pesticide poisoning, just to name a few things the LORD has been healing me from...wow! Just waiting on that parasite healing:)... As i was reading John MacArthur's comments on this verse, he reminded me that ultimately all GOD's children will be healed for all eternity from whatever we suffer from here on earth, because HIS children are going to be made completely whole in heaven...that's another benefit of being in CHRIST. In the meantime, i praise the LORD for the benefits HE has taught me through my diseases, humility, education, faith, patience, an opportunity to reach out to others, and HIS faithfulness to deliver me using some wonderful doctors, that i love dearly. They have paid a huge price to be able to share the knowledge they have learned from their own sufferings and bring healing to their patients who couldn't find answers anywhere else. Thank you so much for praying for Dr. Rea and the other doctors at the clinic that are filling in for him and for his recovery from his surgery last week. He came through his surgery well, and hopefully is home by now.

"Who redeems your life from destruction..." I've often thought about what would my life have been like if GOD hadn't rescued me from the sin i was living in and saved me at 19? What if Johnny and I, two unbelievers, had married? Pretty sure that marriage wouldn't have lasted very long. What about temptations CHRIST has saved me from, and rescued me from through the years? Thank you, LORD JESUS for redeeming me from the destruction of a life lived apart from CHRIST. Thank you for the trials you have placed in our way to hem us in, for moving us, for rescuing us from perilous situations, and those are just the things we know about...thank you for redeeming us from the destruction of everlasting hell, fiery flames, and living apart from YOU. Oh dear FATHER, open the eyes of those who might be reading this who don't know YOU. Draw them too you with YOUR love and HOLY SPIRIT and open their eyes to WHO YOU ARE...JESUS CHRIST our LORD and SAVIOR.

"Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies..." wow, i could write a book on each one of these verses alone... I was thinking earlier this week as I was doing a follow up on some "female" stuff at the doctor's office, how good and kind the LORD has been to allow me not to have any complications on some "female" issues my doctor has been so diligent to follow up on throughout last year. This week as I went to a breast surgeon, he pretty much gave me a great report, and I am so thankful. As i checked off stuff on the form you fill out when you're a new patient, I realized, I have a lot going for me on "normal" stuff, no big health issues there-Praise the LORD for HIS lovingkindness...HE knows exactly what we need in our lives to grow us closer to HIM.
I thank the LORD for HIS loving kindness that draws me so close to HIM through my hard times, through HIS loving comfort and care and concern, for HIS tender mercies when i deserve punishment. Loving kindness and tender mercies, HE crowns us with them day after day after day after day...especially through our most darkest, worst trials we could imagine...HE crowns us with loving kindness and tender mercies. A dear, dear friend of mine called this week and told me her husband was having an affair and had left her and her family, a week before CHRISTmas...i am so ashamed for my small turbulences I've complained about. Never in a million years would anyone have thought this family would experience this trial in their family...just not a chapter they expected to include in their story. Strong CHRISTian family, leaders, loving, home school, just a great family...and yet, we all have feet of clay and but for the grace of GOD, there go I..."i was at a loss of words for my friend, she knows all the right words...but this hasn't caught GOD off guard or by surprise, and in the midst of these difficult and dark days of their lives, my friend's life and her family's will be crowned with GOD's loving kindness and tender mercies...the kind that is only experienced "in the dark night of the soul." Please remember this dear family in your prayers for GOD's healing and restoration...HE's still writing their story and ours.

HE does it all that's for sure... and deserves all of our Praise..."Bless the LORD O my soul, and all that is within me, bless HIS holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all HIS benefits; who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies."-Psalm 103:1-4

Sheila Heil forwarded me the video below, "Cardboard Testimonies." She said it had made more of an impact on her than anything in a long time. Some of you know Sheila's husband, Paul, from the Gospel Greats Radio show (www.thegospelgreats.com). When Shelia speaks, I listen. She, along with her husband Paul, faithfully serve the LORD through their family, their church, their community, and the world wide ministry that GOD has blessed them with of sharing gospel music through their weekly radio show. GOD has used Paul's gifts in radio broadcasting and teaching the Word and Shelia's gifts in service and administration to shares the good news of JESUS CHRIST through Gospel music and the testimonies of the gospel singers. Week after week, Paul and Shelia are faithful to "tell the story " of JESUS through Gospel songs and what HE is doing in the lives of these gospel singers.
As I watched the video Shelia shared with me, these "cardboard testimonies" reminded me over and over what CHRIST is doing not only in my family's lives, but the lives of HIS children all over...how HE forgives our iniquities, heals our diseases, redeems our lives from destruction and crowns us with HIS lovingkindness and tender mercies...this is the GOD that we serve...Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise HIS name! We all have a story, and GOD wants us to tell that story of what HE is doing through our lives, to bless HIM, and forget not all HIS benefits! I would love to hear your story of what CHRIST has and is doing in your life. Your story encourages me and gives me strength and increases my faith in our great GOD. Perhaps, like Paul and Shelia, i could pass your story along to others and encourage many hearts. Thank you so much for honoring me by taking time to read these emails and sharing what CHRIST is doing in your life...to GOD be the glory!

http://www.rhchurch.org/pages/cardboard-testimonies/


With all HIS love,
Mitzi


"Thanksgiving or complaining-these words express two contrastive attitudes for the souls of GOD's children in regard to HIS dealings with them. The soul that gives thanks can find comfort in everything; the soul that complains can find comfort in nothing." Hannah Whitall Smith

" It is only with gratitude that life becomes rich." Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"A child of GOD should be a visible beatitude for happiness and a living doxology for gratitude." C.H. Spurgeon

"The words "thank" and "think" come from the same root word. If we would think more, we would thank more." Warren Wiersbe

-quotes taken from CHRISTmas Treasures



Please remember my sister in law, Marilyn, who is in Japan on a mission trip, and my brother, Joe, who is home "alone." Thanks, Joe, for being such a faithful reader of these emails and dear encourager to my heart.

Go Gators!!!