Saturday, September 25, 2010

A Harsh Daddy or Loving FATHER



"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the LORD, nor faint when you are reproved by HIM; for those whom the LORD love HE disciplines, and HE scourges every son whom HE receives...All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." Hebrews 12:5,6,11

 

Dear Praying Friends and Family,
    I have been having some "technical difficulties" with this week's email...i just finished writing it for the second time.  The first was yesterday when i deleted most of the email after almost finishing it yesterday afternoon.  Earlier this evening i manged to delete the first few paragraphs of the new one i had been working on this afternoon. In a "i can't believe i've done this again," i called  John Mac and he graciously came to  try rescue me..."Ctr Z" was too late as i had already gone to "drafts" to see if my email was still there.  He found last night's email that i thought i had deleted in a different browser so you're getting the top part of last nights and the bottom part of todays!   I am getting used to Google Chrome as a browser, and haven't figured out yet why i'm deleting stuff. I know this... my patience is being tried, and i am learning to practice what i'm sharing below, about GOD engineering our circumstances...in family, in life, in emails.  
  •      Please remember in your prayers my friend Shirley, and her daughter Mishel and family, as she will be going for a biopsy on her brain next week.  Mishel will be moving her to care for her Mom and is looking for part time work while she is here if anyone knows of anything.
  •      Please remember Tony and Taranda Greene as Tony is back in the hospital with his kidney not functioning properly.  He only has one kidney, the one Taranda gave him last year, please be in prayer for them that they would trust the LORD in the circumstances HE has them in to bring HIM glory.  LORD willing,  The Greenes will be in concert,  in Cullman, along with the Hoppers, and Gold City, Oct. 8.  Call James Nicholson for ticket information at 256-227-4493.
    Happy Birthday to my sister Jill in Leeds, Al...who is celebrating her birthday today actually, the 25th, and to my brother Tracy out in Sugar Land, Texas, who is celebrating Sunday, the 26th.  I love ya'll and hope you have a wonderful birthday!
   Now for this email the LORD has  orchestrated in my computer illiteracy:
      This week as i read a devotion by Elisabeth Elliot, she was sharing about the family GOD gave her to grow up in.  I love reading and hearing about the families that GOD puts people in, and how HE uses those families, their strengths and weaknesses, to shape and conform those children for who HE is preparing them to be.   

 

    I sure missed writing you last week.  Nope, i didn't go anywhere, i just could not get my thoughts together and got so sleepy when i had an opportunity to write.  I asked you to pray for me about my allergies, and I appreciate that.  I am in a search to find something i can take over the counter, and well last week, i was trying Benadryl and it was making me so sleepy and i was allergic to it.  This morning (Thursday), i tried a little Claritin, and though i'm not too sleepy, i am having some issues with it.  I thought to myself, "LORD, you sure could have made this a little easier on me."  One by giving me normal allergies, instead of brain fogginess and other crazy issues, and two by allowing me to be able to take normal OTC drugs for my allergies, instead of me being allergic to them!"  Yep, HE could have made this journey a lot easier on me, but then i would have missed out on a ton of lessons HE has taught me through it, the foremost of being how very much HE loves me and you.
    Last week, i had the wonderful privilege of taking my neighbor kayaking who has taught me a lot about GOD's love.  She has never been kayaking before and was a little afraid, thinking we were going in the whitewater kayaks with the little holes that you roll in and wouldn't be able to get out if she turned over.  I wish i had kayaks like that, but just haven't been able to fit whitewater kayaking into my life....yet!  When i reassured her that our kayaks were wide and very sturdy, it eased her fear a little.  I loaded the boats the night before on top of the Jimmy   and by a little before 8:00a.m. last Friday morning Sherri came walking up my driveway ready for a new adventure!  I was ready too, and looking very much forward to spending time with my dear neighbor. 
      You have to understand, she is one of the most loving, thoughtful people i know, and is forever working to make the  neighborhood closer and like an old-fashioned neighborhood where folks know one another, care for each other, look out for each other's kids.  This neighborhood, which is actually begins right next to my house, even has a book club that meets, and Sherri manages to be a part of that group.  Our local newspaper wrote an article a few months ago about the neighborhood and how very special it is...and much of that is because of the efforts of Sherri.  If the neighborhood wasn't enough to keep her busy, she reaches out to those outside of the neighborhood, like me. I live right next door to their neighborhood. Anytime she sees someone on my FB who needs prayer, she finds out who they are, and has brought them a prayer blanket from their churches knitting ministry on more than one occasion, i can think of three.   You talk about touching my heart...And if that isn't enough, her husband is pastor of one of the largest churches in our town, and she is on staff at the church, and leads various Bible studies and ministries there, and heads up the Wesley foundation ministry at our local college.  Last and most important, Sherri takes care of her husband, and they have three grown children.  She loves spoiling their grandson, Grey,  who lives in Birmingham, every chance she gets. So, i was very honored and humbled a few weeks ago, when she sent me a message on FB and asked me to take her canoeing (thankfully i managed to talk her into kayaking!).   
    Sherri and i got in the Jimmy along with Troy and took off the short 15 minute ride to the river.  I had never taken the kayaks on top of the Jimmy and was a little unsure, especially when they started loudly "humming," in the wind as we drove down our street...we hadn't even got started yet.  The loud humming noise got much loader as we sped up on the main roads, but Sherri didn't seem to mind, and we joked about the "peaceful" trip to the river and just talked loudly over the roar of the kayaks.  As Sherri said, "At least we know they're still on top!"  That's a  great way of looking at it and her acceptance and easy to get along with made me not so worried about it.  I had prayed that we would have a relaxing time...and this wasn't my idea of relaxing with a wind tunnel on top of the car and we could hardly hear each other talking!
    As we road out in the country, along New Cut Road, and down Baker Hill Road where the covered bridge is right before you get to the Elk River, we enjoyed talking and were both excited about our adventure.  I had planned to take her up to Big Creek, my favorite "hideaway," to paddle up where you can see the fish swimming on the bottom the water is so clear. We got the boats unloaded, and thankfully didn't knock any mirrors off the side like i did one time unloading them off the top.  Sherri took HB's yellow kayak, a Wilderness System Pungo 100 and she took to kayaking like a duck to the water.  We paddled down the Elk a short ways  there at Sportsman's Park where the trees and rocks surround the river to make a cozy cove, up under the bridge that crosses Baker Hill Road, and up to Big Creek.  Sherri absolutely loved the beauty of it...as i do with trees on both side, and so peaceful you feel like you've stepped back in time.  It sure is a treasure to me, and i love to share it with others.  Sherri and i paddled as far as you can until you start dragging on the rocky bottom, and got out pulling our boats a  short distance through the creek before getting out on the rocky shore.  We drug our boats on the banks, spread out our towels, and made our "nest," for the next couple of hours.  I had asked Sherri to bring along her Bible or book to have a devotion...but we never got to the "book," devotions.  As butterflies flitted around our heads and from plant to plant, Sherri said, this is a devotion to me....and she was right!  Marveling at GOD's creation, out in this beautiful place HE created, getting to know a most dear sister in CHRIST was more than a "devotion" than i could ask for...
      As Sherri and i talked and watched Troy play along the creek, I really, really enjoyed getting to know this dear person.  I had often wondered about Sherri, and how she handled trials in her life that she was such a joyful, overflowing CHRISTian.  It might be easy to think she's had an easy life.  As i listened to her share her stories, and she listened so very patiently as i shared my heart, I learned that Sherri had grown up in a difficult home life where he Daddy was a very heavy drinker.   He often spent his pay check for things other than paying the bills.   Having a step granddaddy who was an alcoholic for most of his life until he received CHRIST seven years before his death, i can relate to some of the sorrows that go along with an alcoholic. Sherri related to me that her dear Momma who loves CHRIST, prayed for her husbandstayed with him through thick and thin, and the LORD JESUS saved him after 46 years...wow!   She said she got to see her Daddy down on his knees praying and GOD gave her Momma and Daddy sweet time loving and serving the LORD together before he died.
   What a dear encouragement to my heart was Sherri's testimony of GOD's faithfulness in her family and the steadfast love and example of her Mother loving her husband through "thick and thin."  What a testimony of the faithfulness of GOD to hear her Momma's prayers and save her Daddy. 
      



Elisabeth Elliot
Source: A Lamp For My Feet
Scripture Reference: Psalm 73:22-28 
A Small Section of the Visible Course

The house where I was born, at 52 Rue Ernest Laude in Brussels, looks exactly as it does in the picture in my mother's photo album. The old snapshot is a study in grays. The one my husband Lars took much more recently is in color. The cobblestone street is the same in both. The bricks of which the house is built turn out to be rather pink; the white marble facade of the second and third stories has not changed. They have put new shades in the two first-floor windows, and the people in the pictures are different. In the first, on the second-floor wrought-iron balcony in sunshine, stands my mother, twenty-four years old, slim and straight, with a wonderful pile of dark satiny hair. She is wearing a dark ankle-length dress with a wide white cape-collar.
In the colored picture there are two cars, and near the front door, very wind-blown, stand I. How I longed to ask the present tenants to allow me to go up to the balcony, even into the kitchen where I was born.
Over sixty years have passed since I was last there. My mother had locked the front door when she fumed to the Dutch lady who was her helper.
"I feel as though I've forgotten something."
Adri knew very well what it was and wondered how far my mother would get before realizing that the five-month-old baby was still upstairs, wrapped in her bunting, ready for the ocean voyage.
There was something wondrously comforting about knowing, as I stood before that unremembered house, that this is where my parents lived, where they loved, where they welcomed into their small cold-water flat the newborn sister of their son Philip.
They were missionaries, working with what was then the Belgian Gospel Mission. Lars and I visited the old buildings; the little Flemish chapel where my father taught Sunday School and probably played the Steinway piano that stands there--bought by Mrs. Norton, wife of the founder of the mission (she sold her jewels to pay for it). We looked at an old photo album there with pictures of my grandparents, my great uncle, and my parents.
All of the past, I believe, is a part of God's story of each child of His--a mystery of love and sovereignty, written before the foundation of the world, never a hindrance to the task He has designed for us, but rather the very preparation suited to our particular personality's need.
"How can that be?" ask those whose heritage has not been a godly one as mine was, whose lives have not been peaceful. "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter" (Proverbs 25:2, NIV). God conceals much that we do not need to know, yet we do know that He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. When does that begin? Does the Shepherd overlook anything that the sheep need?
William Kay, who translated the Psalms in 1870, gives this note on Psalm 73:22: "Though I was supported by Thee and living 'with Thee' as Thy guest, yet I was insensible to Thy presence;--intent only on a small section of the visible course of things;--like the irrational animals that are ever looking down at the ground they are grazing.
"Yet I am perpetually with Thee, Thou hast laid hold on my right hand," wrote the psalmist. "Thou wilt guide me with Thy counsel and afterwards receive me in glory.... And as for me, nearness to God is my good; I have put my trust in the Lord God" (vv. 23, 24, 28, WK).

Troy and me at Big Creek


    Elisabeth Elliot's words bring great comfort to me, especially as i look at my own faults and failures as a parent.  I remember when before our kids were born, i thought pridefully that we would be good parents.  Little did i know how struggling with a chronic illness everyday of their lives, would cause me to humbly depend on the LORD for my irritability with them, for the lack of being who i would have like to have been to them.  GOD has given me GREAT comfort that HE is indeed strong in my weakness and used their weak parents to shape and equip and mold my children into who HE is preparing them to be, to accomplish HIS plans and purposes for their lives.  We have made many mistakes...and failed so miserably at times, and have often had to ask our children to forgive us.  We continue to be human and fail...and GOD constantly reassures me that HE knows what HE's about giving us our children, or more humbly giving them us as parents...and i am humbled at HIS trust of us.  I think it's interesting that both of our children are preparing for medical careers. They have grown up with a Mom who has very much been dependent on GOD using doctor's and nurses to help me.  I pray the LORD will use them greatly to bring healing to their patients physically and spiritually the way that I have been so blessed through the physicians and nurses GOD has used in my life to bring healing to me.
       When our kids were growing up we listened to a tape about a young man who grew up in the home of a heavy drinker.  His Daddy would often come home in the middle of the night drunk and drag this young man up out of his bed and make him practice the piano for hours. 

" His father was said to be a violent and intemperate man, who returned home late at night much worse for drink and dragged young Ludwig from his bed in order to "beat" music lessons into the boy's sleepy head. There are also stories of his father forcing him to play his violin for the amusement of his drinking cronies. Despite these and other abuses - which might well have persuaded as lesser person to loathe the subject - the young Beethoven developed a sensitivity and vision for music." http://www.lucare.com/immortal/childhood.html

     His Daddy taught his son to play the piano, and in his weakness of drinking, he forced him to play for hours at a time. This young man grew up to be one of the world's greatest piano players and composers we have ever known, his name is Ludwig van Beethoven. Though this young man grew up in a most difficult family situation, GOD knew what HE was about in preparing Beethoven to be the great musician that he was.



GOD knows what HE's about in our lives...HE sees the beginning and the end...and HE created us for good works in CHRIST JESUS. HE is our CREATOR, and HE has specific works for us to accomplish for HIS glory. Our lives are not our own...

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of GOD; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." Ephesians 2:8-10


    As i was preparing to write yesterday, the first draft of this email:)...GOD reminded me that HE sent HIS SON to earth to die for our sins.   That seemed like very, very harsh parenting...like GOD didn't love HIS own SON.  But JESUS death was the key to our LIFE....and because HE died, and endured the cross and was raised to life and sits at the right hand of the FATHER, we LIVE and we will LIVE ETERNALLY with HIM!    What seemed to be the worst day in history was the best...what seemed to be a harsh Daddy, was a loving DADDY, and HE loves HIS SON so very much, that HE gave HIM us...HE raised HIM from the dead, and released the captives through HIS death for all who will humble themselves and repent, and surrender their lives to the LORD JESUS.  
     "Although HE was a SON, HE learned obedience from the things which HE suffered.  And having been made perfect, HE became to all those who obey HIM the source of eternal salvation." Hebrews 5:8-9
    What i am sharing with you today, is a lesson that GOD continues to teach me every day of my life, as HE continually reveals to me how much HE loves me.  The things that have seemed the most harsh in my life, are the things that my loving heavenly FATHER has designed to bring about a result that brings glory to HIM.  I would not have chose my sickness...but GOD in HIS divine plan, knew that it would be what i needed to struggle with to accomplish HIS plans and purposes not just for my life....but my children's life, my husband's and all that our lives touch.  
    One of my favorite quotes from "Streams in the Desert" that has greatly encouraged me through the years is:


**GOD TRAINS HIS SOLDIERS NOT IN TENTS OF EASE AND LUXURY, BUT BY CAUSING THEM TO ENDURE LENGTHY MARCHES AND DIFFICULT SERVICE .  He makes them WADE ACROSS STREAMS, SWIM THROUGH RIVERS, CLIMB MOUNTAINS, and WALK MANY TIRING MILES WITH HEAVY BACKPACKS.


     My sickness had definitely been one of "enduring lengthy marches, difficult service, wading across streams, swimming through rivers, climbing mountains and walking many tiring miles with a heavy backpack."  But this is the "discipline" that GOD has chosen for my life to accomplish HIS plans and purposes and i praise HIM for it...most of the time:).
         Sometimes, it's not always easy to remember that HE disciplines us for HIS good when we are in the midst of the discipline.  When i deleted my email yesterday...and that was such a little thing, i was not happy about that discipline whatever it was about...it was an inconvenience to me to have to write it all over, though i like to write you, i didn't want to do it twice!  This was a small, tiny thing...not like Mishel and her Mom are facing with her "spots," in her brain, or Josie struggling for her life...there trial and discipline is and was of a much more significant scale, than the small inconvenience i suffered loosing my email.  However, if we learn to see everything through spiritual eyes, then GOD enables us to be able to even give thanks and rejoice  whether we are "wading across the streams" or "climbing mountains," and gradually we learn that indeed we do have a loving heavenly FATHER who loves us so very much,  instead of a harsh Daddy who is sitting in heaven cracking HIS whip trying to make our life miserable through our circumstances HE engineers for us.
    I hope and pray that today's email is an encouragement to your heart as it is to mine.  When i lost that email, i was getting ready to go paddling with my brother for a "moonlight paddle," something i've always wanted to do.  I was still reacting to the allergy medicine and feeling irritable...and rewriting the email just wasn't in my plans for today.  But on the way to the river last night, the HOLY SPIRIT prompted me to start singing Praise Songs to my FATHER.  I didn't feel like it...i just did it out of obedience, and i want you to know by the time i got there, the HOLY SPIRIT had lifted my heart, and i was no longer irritated about loosing the email.  GOD had a reason, and HE has a specific reason, purpose and plan for the parents HE gives us, the brothers and sisters HE gives us, the bosses, the co workers...all HE brings into our lives HE is using to make us WHO HE created us to be...to bring HIM much glory through the good works HE created us to do in CHRIST JESUS. The work that is of supreme significance is bringing others to know the LORD JESUS CHRIST as their personal SAVIOR...
      ""If you are a child of GOD, you have been chosen by GOD for a task of supreme significance-to be a bearer and nurturer of spiritual life by carrying the life of the LORD JESUS to others."  
                                                 Nancy Leigh  DeMoss, www.reviveourhearts.com 

      "We are therefore CHRIST's ambassadors, as though GOD were making HIS appeal through us. (2 Cor. 5:20).

     Our loving FATHER sure knew what HE was doing putting Sherri Bassham in the family she grew up in to equip her to be HIS ambassador to share the good news of the LORD JESUS CHRIST.  GOD took that little girl he was preparing to serve some of the largest Methodist churches in the state of Alabama and minister to them through the heart HE developed in her in her circumstances.  He knows what HE is doing in your life and mine:

     "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are MY ways higher than your ways, so are My thoughts higher than your thoughts."
                                          Isaiah 55:9
 
                                                                                           

    "Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  Has it not been declared to you from the beginning?  Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?  
     It is HE who sits above the vault of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers.  who stretches out the heavens like a curtain And spread them out like a tent to dwell in.
     HE it is who reduces rulers to nothing, Who makes the judges of the earth meaningless.  Scarcely have they been planted, scarcely have they been sown, scarcely has their stock taken root int he earth, But HE merely blows on them, and they wither, and the storm carries them away like stubble.
     To whom then will you liken ME that I should be his equal?"  says the HOLY One.Lift up your eyes on high And see WHO has created these stars,
     The ONE who leads forth their host by number, HE calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of HIS might and the strength of HIS power, Not one of them is missing.
     Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD, and the justice due me escapes the notice of my GOD"?  Do you not know?  Have you not heard?
      The EVERLASTING GOD, the LORD, the CREATOR of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired.  HIS understanding is inscrutable.  HE gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might HE increases power.  Though youths grow weary and tired,
       And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." 
                                                                                             Isaiah 40:21-31

     This week, i have so enjoyed looking up at the beautiful full Moon and stars as i've walked the dogs in the evening...even paddling by the night of the moonlight last night with my dear brother Ralph...a long time desire of my heart my loving FATHER gave me.    I am continually amazed at GOD's wisdom, HIS majesty, HIS power to hang the moon and stars on nothing...and the power to redeem man, and bring life out of death through HIS SON JESUS CHRIST.  "Indescribable" by Chris Tomlin, who is going to be in concert Oct.9 at the Civic Center in Huntsville, describes our amazing GOD and HIS indescribable power over HIS creation...giving me great comfort and peace that HE has power to control the circumstances that concern me.  Indescribable by Chris Tomlin:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PTvr755V8s&a=GxdCwVVULXeu-uq0ettPZMUpz3EUnyYv&list=ML&playnext=1

    You are so very kind to spend this time with me...thank you so much for your dear prayers and encouragement to our family.  Your emails are such a blessing to me.  Forgive me if i don't always respond promptly...i am having trouble keeping up these days, my brain doesn't always work as quickly as i'd like but GOD knows what HE's about...please know each and every word is a dear encouragement to my heart.  Now, i'm going to send this email...before i delete it...and i just missed sending it on Friday...oh well, this week, it's the Saturday Special! I love ya'll!

      "See how great a love the heavenly FATHER has bestowed upon us that we should be called the children of GOD and such we are..." I John 3:1
                                                              With all HIS love,
                                                                                                             mitzi

                
          "When I cannot understand my FATHER's leading
And it seems to be but hard and cruel fate.
Still I hear that gentle whisper ever pleading,
GOD is working, GOD is faithful, ONLY WAIT."
                                                                                           -"Streams in the Desert," Sept. 24th  

     
     
     

          
                     

Sherri Bassham relaxing at Big Creek
     

Saturday, September 11, 2010

"Oh, How HE Loves Us So"


"Blessed be the GOD and FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in CHRIST, just as HE chose us in HIM before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before HIM. In love, HE predestined us to adoption as sons through JESUS CHRIST to HIMself, according to the kind intention of HIS will, to the praise of the glory of HIS grace, which HE freely bestowed on us in the BELOVED. In HIM we have redemption through HIS blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of HIS grace which HE lavished upon us." Ephesians 1:3-8




Dear Praying Friends and Family,

Earlier this week, i took "Midnight," our black and very gregarious lab, up to the vet in Pulaski. She had surgery several days ago to remove a growth on her chest, and i had to bring her back for a recheck and get her stitches removed. It's always an adventure when I take "Midnight" anywhere with me. I had to stop and fill up with gas, and when i tried to get back in the car, "Midnight," quickly makes her exit from my seat out into the bay beside the pumps. While i'm pulling and tugging to get her back in the Jimmy, cars are lined up two and three deep watching this fiasco. Thankfully, it didn't last long, and "Midnight," obediently jumped into the back after a few tugs. We made the 45 minute drive up to Pulaski, partly on the I-65, and then exiting at Ardmore to make the remainder of the trip through the foothills of Tennessee. It's a beautiful drive, that i don't usually mind except when my allergies are crazy like they have been recently...even crazier than usual. I've got my Daddy's eyes for enjoying the countryside as i drive along and admire the beauty of my heavenly FATHER's creation. Once we arrived at the vet, I noticed a van in the parking lot with several dogs in cages and thought to myself, oh no, i want to hurry so i can get in front of all those dogs. Surprisingly, the office was calm ...usually it's grand central station with animals of all kinds coming there to Dr. Galbraith's office for help. Today, there was only 3-4 in line when we arrived. I left "Midnight" in the car, which is a dangerous thing to do. Last time, i did that, she crawled behind the drivers seat, and looked like she was driving with her head sticking up over the steering wheel. I wouldn't put it past her to turn the keys on and take off!

I returned to the car, and after not too long of a wait, the young man came and got her. I was planning to enjoy reading in the Jimmy while i was waiting on the doc to remove her stitches. There was a lady there beside the white van with all the dogs. She had on a tank top, with a friendly but sad smile, and looked like she had lived a rather hard life. I spoke to her, asking her about all her dogs. She told me she was a "transport," lady to help rescue dogs that are going to be euthanized at the pound or to rescue dogs that are in bad living situations. She has connections with rescue groups all over, and makes a trip up North, every week, to take dogs to rescue groups, who then will place them in a foster home or permanent home. She was on her way back from New York i believe. I asked her where she slept when she's on the road and she said in her van. Her van was packed with dogs in dog cages, and dog food, and other supplies, and i wondered where she slept. She said she has a mat she puts over the front seat and sleeps there. I noticed a cooler in the van, and i guess that's where she stores her food. She said she doesn't want to leave the dogs to sleep in a motel room. As she talked, i was very intrigued by all this lady did to rescue these animals. She told me she got 60 dogs from one lady who was a "hoarder," and distributed them to as many homes as she could. Some had to be put to sleep because of sickness or age. As this lady told me about her role as a "transport," person, i told her it almost sounded like something from Harriet Tubman's "Underground Railroad." Surprised she knew what i was talking about, she said, "It almost is...some of these Northern states don't want you bringing dogs into their states because of the fear of spreading diseases." She's been turned in to the police, but said most of them, once they see her papers for them, are supportive of what she's doing.

We talked probably 20 minutes or so while i was waiting on Midnight there in the parking lot, the cigarette burning in her hand. I was really touched by her love for the dogs. A few times she wiped the tears out of her eyes as she talked about them, and how special they were to her. She showed me some that were in her van that had already been spayed or neutered that morning by Dr. Galbraith. He gives her a really good price on them since they are rescue dogs. She brings a load of them once a week for him to work on the animals she's tranporting. One dog she left was having it's skin scraped. For the most part, except for the one who was getting it's skin scraped, and looked mangy, the other dogs looked to be in great shape. There were puppies, and full grown dogs, and a beautiful boxer...all "rescued," from their fate of certain death at the pound. She told me she goes through at least 70 pds of dog food a week, and she will go without before she lets the dogs go hungry. Based upon her thin appearance, she has probably done that a time or two in the past...giving up her food for her dogs.

As she talked to me about rescuing the dogs and showed me her van full of dogs, i could sense the deep love she had in her heart for these animals. She guarded them when she traveled, she sacrificed her own food, so they could eat, and she laid down her life that these dogs might have life driving hundreds of miles a week, to take them to a place of safety. I thought about GOD loves us so...each and every one of us....so much that HE gave HIS SON to rescue us from our sins...our sins that deserve eternal judgement. Many Mom's and Dad's have sacrificed their sons and daughter's for the freedoms we enjoy in America. GOD sacrificed HIS SON so that we could be free from bondage and shackles of our sin and have life and have it more abundantly.



"This will be written for the generation to come, that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD. For HE looked down from the height of HIS sanctuary; from heaven the LORD viewed the earth. To hear the groaning of the prisoner, to release those appointed to death, to declare the name of the LORD in Zion, And HIS praise in Jerusalem, when the peoples are gathered together and the kingdoms to serve the LORD." Psalm 102:18-22




"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." John 3:16



"Forth from the love of GOD HE came,

And seeks thine empty heart.

Receive this LORD from heaven above,

In thee to live HIS life of love."

-Hannah Hurnard, Mountain of Spices







I am most amazed at the picture of GOD's love for us, through the love we have for our pets. My next door neighbor who is kind of the "yuppy," type, has a beagle for a dog. Now, i'm not putting down beagles, but if i was picking a dog for her and her family, i would never pick a beagle. My brother had beagles for hunting dogs when i was growing up, and for some reason, i was just never too crazy about beagles. But my neighbor chose a beagle and she loves "Tootsie." That beagle is well cared for, has the run of the back yard, sleeps under the porch, is fat from eating the finest of "Science Diet," and pretty much just has it made. My sister in law...the same thing...she has a mut named Cracker. Someone found it on the side of the road somewhere, and it was mangy looking...but you know where that mutt lives...in a real fine home on Brookwood Dr. that children in third world country, and many in our country would love to live in. That dog has the finest of food, an owner that loves it, a comfy place to sleep, and all the love that it could want, because a sinful human chose to adopt it, and give it all the benefits that go along with being a part of their family.



"If you then being evil know how to give good gifts to your children,(or pets in this case) how much more will your heavenly FATHER give good gifts to those who ask HIM?"



GOD gives us all the benefits of being a part of HIS family when HE calls us and chooses us and in faith and repentance from our evil sin we follow HIM as the LORD of our lives. Not in dutiful obedience because we have to, but because HE's given us a new heart, a heart of flesh, and made us HIS spiritual heirs.



"I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear ME forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them." Isaiah 40:31





HE laid down HIS life for us...literally on a wooden cross, with a sword piercing HIS precious side, and nails driven into HIS wrists and feet and a crown of thorns smashed upon HIS head. HE did that because "Oh How HE loves Us So," and payed the debt we couldn't pay for our sins.



Earlier this week a dear friend whom the LORD has recently brought back into my life through FB shared with me the book, Radical by David Platt http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoicm4wnQ4c .David is the pastor of the Church of Brook Hills in Birmingham, Al. I picked up a copy yesterday at Lifeway Christian Bookstore, and read the first couple of chapters yesterday afternoon. In his book in Ch. 2 David shares:



"The Biblical gospel says, "You are an enemy of GOD, dead in your sin, and in your present state of rebellion, you are not even able to see that you need life, much less to cause yourself to come to life. Therefore you are radically dependent on GOD to do something in your life that you could never do."




"In the gospel GOD reveals the depth of our need for HIM. HE shows us that there is absolutely nothing we can do to come to HIM. We can't manufacture salvation. We can't program it. We can't produce it. We can't even initiate it. GOD has to open our eyes, set us free, overcome our evil, and appease HIS wrath. HE has to come to us."



"This is the gospel. The just and loving Creator of the universe has looked upon hopelessly sinful people and sent HIS SON, GOD in the flesh, to bear HIS wrath against sin on the Cross and to show HIS power over sin in the Resurrection so that all who trust in HIM will be reconciled forever."



Those dogs, whom that lady rescued could do nothing to rescue themselves. She did it all, taking the initiative to save them from their impending death, just as our heavenly FATHER does it all to save us from the impending judgement and eternal death that we face apart from our salvation through the LORD JESUS CHRIST. We don't deserve HIS love and HIS mercy, "But GOD demonstrates HIS love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us." Romans 5:8







HE desires each one of us to have such a personal and intimate relationship with HIM through the LORD JESUS CHRIST. HE wants us to take time and spend time with HIM at the beginning of the day, before the world crowds out our time with HIM, and have fellowship with HIM through reading and studying HIS WORD, HIS love letters to us. HE invites us to spend time in prayer with HIM, and to pray without ceasing. HE left HIS FATHER and home in heaven and died for us and rose again that we might be rescued from hell, and the dominion of darkness to walk in the kingdom of HIS marvelous light and bless us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Can you believe that...every spiritual blessing. I can believe that if we humans will adopt a mut dog or kitty cat, and lavish them with our love, and all the comforts a human can imagine, how much more will our heavenly FATHER bestow on us every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies? I can't began to comprehend what it's going to be like when i have my new glorified body and live and rule and reign with the LORD JESUS in the New Jerusalem that is coming up.



I think about that dear lady i met this morning who goes without, and sleeps in a car, and drives hundreds of miles to find homes for dogs. How much trouble am i going to rescue the souls of men and women and children whom the LORD JESUS gave HIS life for to purchase their souls. At one time, my husband and I surrendered our lives to the Foreign Mission Field if that's where the LORD wanted us to go and serve HIM, to win the lost for HIM. When HE asked us to return home to Athens, that was the harder surrender for the both of us...to go back home, and lay down our lives here, that others might come to know the LORD JESUS as their LORD and SAVIOR. Sometimes, i fear my heart has grown colder over the years, and lost my zeal somewhat...but the LORD JESUS has not lost HIS zeal, or HIS love for those HE has chosen and called to be HIS own. HE gives you and me the wonderful privilege of being a part of what HE's doing in others lives as HE woos them to HIM through HIS Holy Spirit.



I read a devotion from Charles Spurgeon from Morning and Evening, that talks about how we as CHRISTians should be going to all lengths to "rescue," the souls of men and women and children from the fiery flames of hell, and their bondage to sin. CHRIST loves them so much, and HE has placed you and me in just the right spot to be HIS hands and feet and lips to show them HIS love and share with them that GOD loves them so much HE sent HIS SON to die for their sins...Do I care, how much effort have i put into sharing JESUS with my next door neighbors, any of my neighbors. I'm ashamed to admit my lack of zeal to share JESUS with my own neighbors that GOD loves and put me by to be a witness to them. This devotion challenges my heart to perform "some gallant act for the love of souls and the glory of the LORD."



"And when they could not come nigh unto Him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay."

--Mark 2:4

Faith is full of inventions. The house was full, a crowd blocked up the door, but faith found a way of getting at the Lord and placing the palsied man before Him. If we cannot get sinners where Jesus is by ordinary methods we must use extraordinary ones. It seems, according to Luke 5:19, that a tiling had to be removed, which would make dust and cause a measure of danger to those below, but where the case is very urgent we must not mind running some risks and shocking some proprieties. Jesus was there to heal, and therefore fall what might, faith ventured all so that her poor paralyzed charge might have his sins forgiven. O that we had more daring faith among us! Cannot we, dear reader, seek it this morning for ourselves and for our fellow-workers, and will we not try to-day to perform some gallant act for the love of souls and the glory of the Lord.


The world is constantly inventing; genius serves all the purposes of human desire: cannot faith invent too, and reach by some new means the outcasts who lie perishing around us? It was the presence of Jesus which excited victorious courage in the four bearers of the palsied man: is not the Lord among us now? Have we seen His face for ourselves this morning? Have we felt His healing power in our own souls? If so, then through door, through window, or through roof, let us, breaking through all impediments, labour to bring poor souls to Jesus. All means are good and decorous when faith and love are truly set on winning souls. If hunger for bread can break through stone walls, surely hunger for souls is not to be hindered in its efforts. O Lord, make us quick to suggest methods of reaching Thy poor sin-sick ones, and bold to carry them out at all hazards.




If this dear lady is willing to do so much to rescue poor dogs who are doomed to death, how much more should you and I be seeking the LORD's heart and HIS wisdom to be creative to rescue the souls of those around us. Am i doing anything to rescue the perishing, those in captivity, those whom JESUS loves so much HE gave HIS all for. GOD loves us so much HE gave HIS only SON that whosoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16



Hannah Beth wrote on my wall on FB earlier this week, and sent me a song she said had become her new favorite and thought i would like it to. It sure does bless me that HB loves this song, and GOD is opening her eyes up, along with mine, how very much HE loves us. The song is "O How HE Loves Us," by David Crowder and is very appropriate to share as we think about how much JESUS does love us, and it is not HIS will that any should perish. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzfPHnoT0-0 "Oh How HE Loves Us," David Crowder.

This is not at all what i planned to write about this week, but was redirected after meeting the "rescue" lady at the vet this morning, who i was so touched by her love and care that she was willing to lay down her life to give these dogs an opportunity to live. "Oh how she loves dogs," but more important is "Oh How HE loves Us." HIS thoughts are ever toward us...and HE loves you and me so very much...even when we get difficult news like my friend Shirley did. In just a few minutes i will be leaving to take her to an oncologist to find out what she thinks is the best treatment for the tumor in her head. Ya'll please be in prayer for this dear lady who just lost her sister in June to cancer and for her dear daughter Mishel, who will be helping her Mother make the decisions she needs to for this journey. "Oh How HE Loves Us," even when loved ones are taken HOME by surprise through a car accident, like Mr. Charles Page earlier this week at 96 years of age. His daughter Caroline was also injured in the wreck, and had hip surgery to repair her broken hip. Mr. and Mrs. Page both were the sweetest saints in CHRIST JESUS I have ever known. HE loves HIS children special, bestowing us with every spiritual blessing... "Eyes have not seen, ears have not heard, neither has it entered the heart of GOD the things that GOD has prepared for those who love HIM." I Cor. 2:9






Well, Midnight, got a good report from the vet from her surgery. She got her stitches out, and a couple of shots, and was eager to get back in the car when the attendant brought her outside to me....i'm sure she was ready to go home and tell "Dixie," our golden retriever of all her latest adventures of going to the vet in Tennessee. Thank you for listening to my "adventures," again this week...and letting me tell the old, old story of JESUS and HIS love.

"I Love to Tell the Story" by Katherine Hankey

"I love to tell the story of unseen things above

of JESUS and HIS glory, of JESUS and HIS love:

I love to tell the story Because I know 'tis true;

It satisfies my longings As nothing else can do.



Chorus:

I love to tell the story,

"Twill be my theme in glory

To tell the old, old story

of JESUS and HIS love.



I love to tell the story;

'Tis pleasant to repeat

What seems each time I tell it,

More wonderfully sweet:

I love to tell the story,

For some have never heard

The message of salvation

From GOD's own Holy Word.



I love to tell the story,

For those who know it best,

Seem hungering and thirsting,

To hear it like the rest:

And when in scenes of glory,

I sing the new, new song,

"Twill be the old, old story,

That I have loved so long."





My friend, Tim Greene, will be telling the old, old story and telling of GOD's love for him to bring healing to Tim after a most difficult sickness with Mold Poisoning. He will be speaking and singing at New Hope Baptist Church on Mooresville Rd. just a few miles from our house this Sunday evening, at 6:00 p.m. i think. Please call and check on that time to make sure...He will be speaking at a church in Trussville that morning near B'ham...you can check out his website for more info www.evangelisttimgreene.com.

Please remember me in your prayers...my allergies are giving me a very difficult time. Thank you all so much for your sweet love and prayers and encouragement for me and my family week after week. You are such a joy and blessing in our lives!
                                                                                        With all HIS love,
                                                                                               mitzi

Friday, September 3, 2010

"Divine Destiny" or Demonic Deception?

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to ME: seeing thou has forgotten the Law of thy GOD, I will also forget thy children (Hosea 4:6).



"...HIS purpose is that all men should be saved and come to know the TRUTH." I Timothy 2:3





Dear Praying Friends and Family,

Today, Sept. 2nd, is my 48th birthday. It has been a GREAT day of blessing and encouragement to my heart. Many of you have written on my FB wall and wished me a Happy Birthday. You've sent me cards, e cards, my children called me early this morning and i've been on the phone off and on all day with my dear Mom who just celebrated her 80th birthday. Mother gave birth to me though she was very sick herself. How i thank GOD for her love and sacrifice for me and our family all these years. All three of my thoughtful brothers called, my wonderful in laws, and my dear friend Wanda. One of the best phone calls i got today was my friend Shirley i asked you to pray for last week. She had scans done on her body yesterday for cancer, and they were all clear! Praise GOD! Now, we're still waiting to hear the results of the MRI on her head...please continue to remember her in your prayers.



Johnny, my husband, offered to buy me a new lawnmower for my birthday, or a new Gary Fisher bicycle i spied a couple of weeks ago at the bike shop. Since i have a garage full of bicycles, the lawn mower is higher on my priority list. I know, I just got a new lawn mower for Mother's Day, but i kind of neglected to tell you, i ran over a steel property marker in the corner of our yard, several weeks ago, not once, but twice. Mind you, this isn't a riding mower, it is a push mower. I should have learned from the first time i pushed over the steel post...but no, i forgot. The second time i pushed over the post, it killed the mower...stopped it deader than a door nail. After having the crank shaft and blade replaced, all this over a process of weeks, it still isn't cutting the grass evenly. If i can't get my mower where it cuts evenly i may be getting a new lawn mower again... next Mother's Day! I wish i were as concerned with my house looking perfect as I like the yard to be...so does Johnny. I'm not sure what the LORD is trying to teach me through my lawn mower issues, but patience has got to be at the top of the list. I want it fixed and I want it now...somehow that hasn't happened in the timing i wanted it. "In everything give thanks for this is the will of GOD in CHRIST JESUS concerning you." I Thess. 5:18. I'm so thankful for this verse that gives me peace, as i remember to thank the LORD for my "lawn mower blues." HE has a plan and purpose HE is working out for HIS good, even though i can't see it right now.



Well, i started out this email on a lighthearted note, but there are some very serious issues going on in our world on my birthday today. Last week, i read at www.watch.org, that the leaders of Israel were meeting with our leaders and other leaders of the Middle East in Washington on SEPT 2, to discuss dividing the land of Israel. Another guy i've been reading for a year or so now, Dr. John McTernan, http://www.johnmcternan.name/, has been documenting for the past several years how every time the United States puts pressure on Israel to divide the land, something bad happens to us here in America. You can go to his website, and read his documentation on these events. I thought it was really interesting that there is a category 3-4 Hurricane bearing down on North Carolina and the East Coast as i write this...as if GOD is "cocked and waiting," to see how America is going to treat Israel, " the apple of HIS eye" during these "peace" talks. JESUS is the same, yesterday, today and forever, and HE says in Genesis 12:3 concerning Israel:



" I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."



Part of the reason our country has been so abundantly blessed by GOD is we have stood with Israel for the most part. It's amazing the observations that John has made through the years concerning downturns in our economy, the housing industry or natural disasters with our treatment of Israel. We need to be praying for "peace of Jerusalem," even now as they are meeting in Washington. GOD has promised in HIS WORD to protect Israel, and they are going to be okay. Our country is the one who is going to suffer for turning our backs on them. John Mcternan says that he believes America has run out of time for GOD to be merciful to us. Read his blog here to find out much more about his reasons: http://www.johnmcternan.name/ Sept. 1,2 God's Judgement on America...

Check out some of these headlines from today's news, even as the leaders of our country meet as they meet to discuss dividing the land of Israel...the land that GOD gave the Jews, and promised in the latter times to bring them back to it, as HE did in 1948, when Israel became a nation again:





Secretary Clinton hosts the re-launch of direct negotiations between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, at the Department of State







Earl threatens East Coast with weekend pounding

Clinton opens new round of Mideast peace talks

Bernanke: Shut down banks if they threaten system

Gulf oil rig explodes off La. coast

How Barack Obama became Mr. Unpopular

Burger King agrees to $3.26B buyout by 3G Capital

God did not create the universe, says Hawking





I hope that John is wrong, but if he's right, we need to first make sure that we have been born again, and have humbly confessed our sins to CHRIST JESUS, and surrender our whole lives to HIM, trusting in HIS sacrifice, ALONE, to save us. In the book of 1 John, John tells us how to know that we are indeed in CHRIST. There are several "litmus" test in 1 John for being truly born again and a new creature in CHRIST. I encourage you to take time to read first John carefully and make sure you pass the tests for being a true believer. I John 2:3 says:

"And by this we know that we have come to know HIM, if we keep HIS commandments. The one who says, "I have come to know HIM," and does not keep HIS commandments, is a liar, and the TRUTH is not in him."

John goes on to say in verse 9-11:

"The one who says he is in the light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the light and there is no cause for stumbling in him."



We need to make sure that we are abiding in a personal and intimate relationship with JESUS CHRIST by studying HIS TRUTH, HIS LIVING WORD, each day for the days are evil. There are some great men in the history of our country who valued GOD's TRUTH and read and studied his WORD that they might gain GOD's divine wisdom for leading our great nation:



"The anticipation of the crowd was contagious! All eyes were riveted on General George Washington. The man is legendary-the hero of the decade! He approaches the outdoor balcony of Federal Hall in New York City on April 30, 1789; views the podium; pauses; then asks for a BIBLE. Stepping onto the balcony, the General places his right hand on the open book and takes the oath of office, becoming the First President of the United States of America:






John Adams, 2nd President said: "I have made it a practice every year to read through the Bible ..studying the Scriptures every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning."






John Quincy Adams, 6th President, recorded that he read the Scriptures for the first hour upon rising each morning and through the Bible each year.






Andrew Jackson, 7th President wrote in his diary that he read three to five chapters of the Bible daily. He referred to the Bible as no less than "the Rock on which our Republic rests."






William H. Harrison, 16th President, said it had been his habit to read the Bible each day for 20 years.






Abraham Lincoln, 16th President, said, "All the good from the SAVIOR of the world is communicated through the Bible; but for this BOOK we could not know right from wrong. All the things desirable to man are contained in it."






Ulysses S. Grant, 18th President, said, "Hold fast to the Bible as the anchor of your liberty; write ITS precepts in your hearts and practice them in your lives."






-copied from Bible Pathway Ministries http://www.biblepathway.org/











When we diligently study GOD's WORD to "show ourselves approved as a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the WORD of TRUTH," 2 Tim. 2:15, we will be able to discern what is TRUTH and what is error. We will be able to understand the times and what is happening all around us and help others to understand and warn and admonish or encourage them. Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:15-17:



"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the LORD is."



You don't need me to tell you the days are evil...we see it all around us, and even in our own homes and families...as sin devastates our lives and those we love so dear, and holds them and us in bondage. JESUS tells us in John 8:32:



"If you abide in MY WORD, then your are truly disciples of MINE. And you shall know the TRUTH, and the TRUTH will set you free."



GOD sent HIS SON, HIS beloved perfect SON from heaven, who is the CREATOR of the WORLD and us, to set us free. Free from what? The bondage and captivity of sin, of lies, of untruth, of the punishment of hell that awaits all those who reject the LORD JESUS as their SAVIOR.



"For GOD so loved the world, (including you and me), that HE gave HIS only SON that whosoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16



It is not GOD's will that any should perish for the punishment of their sins, but that all would come to a knowledge of the TRUTH and be saved:





"First, supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings should be made on behalf of all men: for kings and rulers in positions of responsibility, so that our common life may be lived in peace and quiet, with a proper sense of GOD and our our responsibility to HIM for what we do with our lives. In the sight of GOD our SAVIOUR this is undoubtedly the right way to pray; for HIS purpose is that all men should be saved and come to know the TRUTH. For there is only one GOD, and only one intermediary between GOD and men, the MAN CHRIST JESUS. HE gave HIMself as a ransom for all men-an act of redemption which stands at all times as a witness to what HE is." I Timothy 2:1-6





"...HIS purpose is that all men should be saved and come to know the TRUTH." In John 14:6 JESUS says, "I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE, no man comes to the FATHER but by ME."





This past week, I received an article from Brannon Howse (http://www.worldviewtimes.com/) concerning the "Divine Destiny" rally that Glenn Beck, a Mormon, was heading up in Washington. I have not watched Glenn Beck recently, and i didn't even know a rally was going on this past weekend, until i began reading about it on Brannon's website. Brannon has done an excellent job of teaching us why we as born again believers in CHRIST cannot unite with Glen Beck in spiritual matters. Brannon, and the others i've listed below are very complimentary of how Glen has educated us to what is going on in our government, but he has turned a tide, and is more and more becoming a spiritual leader. The theme of Saturday's rally was worshipping one GOD, or united in one GOD. The problem with that is the Mormon church, though they use a lot of the same terminology that we as CHRISTians use, do not worship the same GOD, the same JESUS CHRIST, they are a cult, and worship false gods that they have made up.



"But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to CHRIST." Gen. 3:5





GOD's WORD, the TRUTH, very clearly warns us about those who add or take away from GOD's WORD which the Mormons have done:



"Ye shall not add unto the WORD which I command you, neither shall ye diminish out from it, that ye may keep the Commandments of the LORD you GOD which I command you (Deut. 4:2).






"If any man shall add unto these things, GOD shall add unto him the plaques that are written in this Book...if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, GOD shall take away his part out of the BOOK of Life, and...from the things which are written in this Book." (Rev. 22:18-19).






"Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other GOSPEL unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." Gal. 1:8-9




The Mormon theology is man made and is really hard to believe once you start learning about it. I am not an expert on Mormon theology, but I have listed websites below of those who are and can tell you why we as CHRISTians must be very careful and not unite with Glen pertaining spiritual matters. The Scriptures tell us:



"Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings...So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather speaking the TRUTH in love, we are to grow up in every way into HIM who is the head, into CHRIST." Ephesians 4:14,15



I hope that you can take time to listen sometime this weekend to some of the sites i've listed to educate yourself against the apostasy that Glen Beck is teaching. He uses "CHRISTian"terms, but they have very different meanings as you learn below. Please pray for Glen Beck, that he will come to know the TRUTH and the LORD JESUS CHRIST as HIS personal SAVIOR.





http://www.worldviewweekend.com/worldview-radio/episode.php?episodeid=17250 "Why Kirk Cameron, the actor and CHRISTian couldn't attend "Glen Beck's Divine Destiny Rally" this past weekend after being invited to it.





http://www.worldviewweekend.com/worldview-times/article.php?articleid=6470 Glenn Beck Rally Set Stage for "Christians" to Accept Paganism, and Mormons Say Beck Achieved 200 Year Goal of Getting Evangelicals to Declare That Mormons Are Christians



http://www.worldviewweekend.com/worldview-radio/episode.php?episodeid=17220 Original Air Date was August 24th at 1pm CT: Brannon's guest is Dr. Erwin Lutzer; author and Senior Pastor of Moody Church in Chicago. Topic One: Dr. Lutzer joins Brannon to explain from the Bible why Christians and pastors cannot spiritually unite with Glenn Beck at his "Glenn Beck's Divine Destiny" event at the Kennedy Center on Friday night, August 27th. Dr. Lutzer explains that the only way we can reclaim America is by not compromising on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and by making it the first priority as described in I Corinthians 15:2. Dr. Lutzer explains the message that is sent by uniting spiritually with unbelievers, be it by intent or mistake, is saying that all religions are equal or can find common unity in a spiritual enterprise or service is heresy and is compromising the Gospel.









http://www.worldviewweekend.com/worldview-times/article.php?articleid=6471- "Have we Annointed an Unworthy Shepherd?" by Jan Markell -This is an EXCELLENT article!





http://www.olivetreeviews.org/ August 28, 2010 - Hour 1    
   Click on Radio Archives

Jan's guests include Brannon Howse, Eric Barger, and Ed Decker. The issue is Glenn Beck. Over two hours, the ultimate question is: are Christians selling their soul for patriotism? Most conservatives love Glenn Beck. He exposes evil and he loves America. He hates what is happening to this nation. But Glenn has another agenda as the panel proves over two hours: The subtle promotion of Mormonism. Listen and learn what is happening, why it is happening, and who are the Christians participating. While many suggest he is a "saved Mormon," the panel says that is not possible. About a dozen sound bytes are played that are revealing. The Mormons want to "save America" because it is the "promised land." God has a covenant with America. Not so. We urge you all to pray for Glenn Beck.



August 28, 2010 - Hour 2 Jan Markell's second hour, http://www.olivetreeviews.org/

A continuation of hour one for the entire second hour.

http://www.worldviewweekend.com/

http://www.saintsalive.com/

http://www.ericbarger.com/





http://www.worldviewweekend.com/worldview-times/article.php?articleid=6462 Glenn Beck and Jim Wallis Are Both Pushing Social Justice and an Earthly Kingdom







http://www.worldviewweekend.com/worldview-times/article.php?articleid=6465 Most of the church is so weak that now a Mormon can now lead GOD's people. John Mcternan http://www.johnmcternan.name/



Brothers and sisters, there is a lot of information here. I hope you can make sometime this Labor Day weekend, to read even more and listen on Brannon Howse's website and click on "news," and Radio shows for more information...there is more information, much more. I haven't listened to it or read it all yet, I have really become aware even more of the dangers of the Mormon church and how they are working towards a "Divine Destiny" here on earth to set up an earthly kingdom. We need to all educate ourselves about this and warn others. We are here to be rescuers of men and women's souls...to teach others the TRUTH that leads to salvation in the TRUE JESUS CHRIST. You can learn more about the Mormon's deceptive theology by listening to the second hour of Jan Markell's broadcast. Both shows were EXCELLENT...if you don't take time to listen to anything else...listen to those. There is so much good information here...i pray you will take time to read and study these resources so you will be armed and equipped to speak the TRUTH to others about the deceptions of the Mormon religion and why we shouldn't follow or unite with Glen Beck spiritually. He has done a good job to educate and wake us up to the deceptions that are going on in our government. However, the greater deception is spiritually and Satan would like nothing more than use Glen Beck to keep others from the TRUTH of the saving grace in our LORD JESUS CHRIST or lead others away from the TRUTH and into bondage of deception.





I've had a wonderful birthday and your kindness to me and words of encouragement have blessed me beyond measure. Except for a brief trip out this afternoon, i have been so blessed to stay HOME today. I enjoyed going for a bicycle ride with "Troy" in the wooden basket on the front of my black bicycle. We got that bicycle in Ft. Worth many years ago when we lived there. I used to ride it along the bike trails of the Trinity River to clear my head from studying while i was in nursing school. I also have a blue and pink bicycle...the pink one is an original Schwinn, "retro" style and the other bike we got in Nashville on a family trip to Gatlinburg one year. They are all special to me. I told you i have a garage full of bikes much to my husbands dismay! . The rest of the day was spent ironing, putting away clothes, washing out garbage cans with my housekeeper and writing you. The man who put my tile floors in a few months ago came by this afternoon and after looking at my grout that's cracking in my new tile floors in the kitchen, he told me he's going to have to scrape all of it out and start over. Hey i can change my grout color, the last turned out to be a different color than we anticipated...think i'll change the grout i used too. In everything give thanks!



I love writing you...GOD has put a love in my heart to do this each week and i am so honored for those of you who are able to take the time and read these writings. GOD bless you, and thank you so much for all your dear encouragement to my heart. I love you and "I thank my GOD upon every remembrance of you." Phil. 1:3



I want to close this week with another song by Keith Green that has really touched my heart as i've listened to it this week. Some of you wrote me last week, sharing how Keith's songs have meant so very much to you in your spiritual journey, as they have our journey. Keith Green was killed in the early 80's in a plane crash with two of his 4 children. GOD used Keith mightily for the short time he was here on earth to challenge us to be "Bananas for JESUS," love JESUS with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, love our neighbor as ourself, and go to the uttermost parts of the earth to tell the lost about the TRUTH and the GOOD NEWS of the Gospel of our LORD JESUS CHRIST...to release the captives and set them free. "Rushing Wind," is a song that has really spoken to my heart this week ...and as I listened to it, i realized this is what CHRIST wants to do in each one of our lives.



Thank you LORD JESUS, my CREATOR, the LOVER of my SOUL for creating me...and for the purposes and plans you have for my life. Thank you, for dying for me, for paying the price for all of my sins that i might be forgiven, for setting me free from the captivity of sin and being born again into YOUR family, the family of GOD. Use me LORD JESUS for the time i have left on earth to "take me where YOU want me to go, plant me deep so i can grow, use me Lord, glorify, your Holy Name through me. Separate me from this world Lord. Sanctify my life for you. Daily change me to your image, Help me bear good fruit. " I dedicate this song to YOU, LORD JESUS the LOVER of MY SOUL...may Keith Green's prayer and surrender of his soul be mine. I love you JESUS...and thank you for the 48 years you've blessed me with! May I bring you glory all the rest of the days you give me here on earth and bear much fruit for YOU.



With all HIS love,

mitzi





"Rushing Wind" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk7w4y_9B2k





Rushing Wind







Rushing wind blow through this temple,



Blowing out the dust within,



Come and breathe your breath upon me,



I've been born again.



Holy Spirit, I surrender, take me where you want to go,



Plant me by your living water,



Plant me deep so I can grow.



Jesus, you’re the one, who sets my spirit free,



Use me Lord, glorify, your Holy Name through me.



Separate me from this world Lord.



Sanctify my life for you.



Daily change me to your image,



Help me bear good fruit.



Every day you're drawing closer.



Trials come to test my faith.



But when all is said and done Lord,



You know, it was worth the wait.



Rushing wind blow through this temple,



Blowing out the dust within,



Come and breathe your breath upon me,



Jesus, you’re the one, who set my spirit free,



Use me Lord, glorify, your Holy Name through me.



For I've been born again.







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