"Precious LORD, Take My Hand"

"I being in the way, the LORD led me..."Gen. 24:27

  "Hitherto hath the LORD helped us." I Samuel 7:12

                          "...and HE will help us still." C.H. Spurgeon, July 8, Morning and Evening

                                              

     Dear Praying Friends and Family,

         Last week after i wrote about Veteran's Day, seems like there were so many things i wanted to share with you that i didn't think of while i was writing.  I just have to trust the LORD didn't want me to say those things at that time.  One of the things i forgot to acknowledge is that my dear Daddy in law is a Veteran of the Korean War.  He was a medic and his job was to embalm the men who gave their lives on the battle field. He has some interesting stories... from his whole life.  When he came home, he was the Coroner for our county before he became Sheriff.  Shortly after coming home from the war, my mother in law saw him, and said, "I'm going to marry that man," and she did...they've been married for close to sixty years!   Today is his birthday...i think he's 81.   I am so very grateful and honored for this wonderful Daddy and law the LORD blessed me with.  I had heard of Buddy Evans all of my life when i was growing up, he was like a celebrity in our county because he was a great Sheriff here for 16 years.  I never dreamed GOD would pick him to be my Daddy in law, and the granddaddy to my children.  What a wonderful and gentle and kind Daddy and law he has been to me and grandaddy he has been to our children...Happy Birthday, Pop.  Thank you, Pop, for serving our country and  thank you to all who are reading this who  have served in our military or now serving in our military.

     As i write this afternoon, i have several friends who are at the doctor today some for serious  health struggles, with cancer and other issues.   Would you please lift up these dear ones as you read this and all that concerns them?  One of these you have prayed for in the past is my best friend Wanda's husband, Greg. In the picture, Wanda, was dressed as a clown for her preschool Harvest party.  Greg too, is a Veteran, having fought in Vietnam, where he was a beloved lieutenant leading his troops right in the thick of combat.  So very thankful for his service in our military and for the LORD bringing him back home safely.  He is going  for a routine check to make sure his cancer hasn't returned.  Greg has enjoyed good health for the past several months, and has made the most of it spending time with his family and grandchildren, going to the hunt club and taking his grandson's, and attending their various functions. We're so thankful for the healing GOD has brought about in his life.  UPDATE:  Praise the LORD, Greg received a good report this afternoon!

  My friend Shirley will be starting her radiation treatments the Monday after Thanksgiving for tumors in her head, thank you for remembering her in your prayers.  I also have an unspoken request for someone very dear to me.  You can remember me too, as i have some things out of whack, and my dear doctor is working with me to get them back in sync...thank you so much!

"Through many dangers, toils and snares,

  I have already come,

 Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,

 And grace will lead me home."

    When i was a little girl, one of my favorite CHRISTmas specials on TV was "The Little Drummer Boy."  I couldn't remember much about the special except for the little boy playing his drum for Baby JESUS," and i have always loved the song, "The Little Drummer Boy."  When i was about five years old, my oldest brother Joe got a drum set.  Joe was a great drummer and he played in the "Million Dollar Band," at the University of Alabama. His son, Dallas, was also a great drummer and played for the University of North Alabama.  When the LORD was giving out the drumming abilities in our family, HE gave me some of the leftovers of what HE gave my brother, and i have been able to carry a beat and play the drums for as long as i can remember.  I played the snare drum in our band in school for a few years, until the 9th grade when we had to  choose sports or band.   I loved playing ball...didn't matter what kind, volleyball, basketball, softball, so ball won out over playing the drums in my high school years.   College,  marriage, sickness and small kids, and even several years of thinking that music that had too much beat to it was evil, put my drumming on the backburner.   The LORD had to do a real work to free me up to play the drums again.  I was in bondage to man's teaching.......but GOD had a plan for the drumming ability HE gave me. 

       A  few years ago, i was over at a friend's house and her  son had  a drum set.  I sat down and played on it, and that lit a fire in me...I wanted to play the drums again.  That year, for my 42nd birthday,  i received a black Yamaha drum set.  It was used, and had a whole cut in the bass drum head where there had been a mike inside it on stage but  I was proud as could be of it.  Occasionally, HB's friends would come over and we'd play and sing together but mostly it was just me and the LORD upstairs playing the drums along with Nicole C. Mullen, the Greene's, and other CD's.   I've often thought when i was upstairs playing all alone, LORD, why did you give me this talent if I can't use it to play for YOU? I'd always feel that quiet little peace inside me that GOD delighted in the ability HE gave me to drum when it was just HIM and me.   

     An amazing thing happened this summer when we were visiting FBC, Athens.  Lauren Cox walked up to me after church one Sunday and asked if i would play the snare drum in their 4th of July military service.  I had no idea Lauren knew i even played the drums... After she came over to my house to listen to me play, i had the great privilege of playing the drum for HIM at FBC's 4th of July service.  I was 47 years old and it was the first time i played in church for HIM.  What a thrill that was for me to be able to do that...physically able, and spiritually.  The LORD later led us to join FBC, for the third time in our lives, and HE has led me to recently join the orchestra and choir.  I kind of feel like i've been in a tornado and the LORD swooped me up and sat me down in the orchestra and choir and i'm still saying how did i get here?  In the orchestra i usually play the suspended cymbals, or triangle or whatever else i'm needed to that shakes or has a beat.  I'm not too good at reading musical notes so i'm not any help when it comes to the bells, chimes or tympani.  It's been a while since i've read music, so i am so grateful for the help of Kevin, the percussion leader, helping me to keep count and helping me know when to play.  

     The past couple of Sundays, our regular drummer, Andrew McCartney was out, and Lauren asked me to play the drum set.   What a great thrill and blessing it was to my heart, to get to play my drum for HIM....and not just the drum, but the whole shooting match, the drum set!  I was a little nervous, but not bad, and the LORD helped me to play for HIM.  As i waited for the church service to start, and i was enclosed in the plexi glass and padding around the drum set to keep it from being so loud...I bowed my head and i thanked the LORD for the opportunity to play for HIM, and i asked HIM to help me and HE did.  I must have done okay for they asked me to play again this past Sunday to fill in again. What a wonderful privilege again to play for the LORD, and play along while the choir sang, "Precious LORD, Take My Hand," during the morning service, and "Rock of Ages," during the evening service.  They are such a great choir, it's easy to play along with them. The most fun song to play on was, "This is GOD's House..." at the beginning of the service, that was a blast. Speaking of our choir...they have been working very hard on the CHRISTmas musical, "An Athens CHRISTmas."  We'd love to have you come and hear us sing the praises of our KING, Dec. 11 and 12 at 7:00 p.m. at FBC, Athens.  It's going to be a great night, hope you can come and join us  as we worship OUR KING.

         I was struggling with some thyroid issues this past Sunday, so it was a little more challenging  to play but the LORD played through me.  Before i left for church that morning, i saw the verse,"Hitherto hath the LORD helped us," I Sam. 7:12 written on an index card in my kitchen window.   The LORD used that verse to remind me that HE would help me to play for HIM and that HIS grace" is sufficient and HIS power was made perfect in my weakness."  I sure am glad and GOD sure was faithful to help me, cause i wasn't feeling too well Sunday.  Sunday night the whole service was a "Hymn Sing," and what a dear blessing it was to play the drums along to "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder," "HE Leadeth Me," "Amazing Grace,"  "Victory in JESUS," and several more great old hymns.

    This Sunday i am turning the drums back over to Andrew, and look forward to returning to the role that GOD has for me in playing wherever HE needs me.  I have to admit, when they were first asking me to play in the orchestra, i wasn't to thrilled about playing the cymbals...i wanted to play the drums.  I am so thankful the LORD changed my heart, and got me to go to orchestra and remind me that I am playing for HIM and HE can use me wherever HE wants me to bring glory to HIM.  HE is the one who has given me the abilities that I have to use for HIM.  I'm so thankful for health i'm enjoying thus far to be able to play for HIM.

      As i was thinking about what to write this week, i kept thinking about how GOD leads our paths, even as a young girl giving me the desire and ability to learn to play the drums.  HE knew that  several years down the road,  I would enjoy using that talent to play the drums upstairs for HIM when i couldn't get out and go other places due to my sickness.  HE knew the plans HE had that i would be able to use that to ability to  help lead HIS people in the worship of HIM at FBC, Athens.  What an honor and privilege that is for me to be a part of worshipping my KING in that way.

     Last Friday night, i was upstairs on the drums going over some of the songs to play for this past Sunday.  I came across a video about the life of the man who wrote the song, "Precious LORD, Take My Hand."  I thought oh, i wish i had shared that with you last week.  Well, that wasn't the way the LORD led...or i would have discovered it before i sent out last week's email instead of afterwards. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlmCflPD2s8&feature=share Precious LORD....Thomas A.  Dorsey  That man's testimony really touched my heart, and it's so true...the LORD leads us on, through great trial and tragedy.  HE uses these things to lead us  to HIMself.   HE blesses us with HIS love and "restores the years the locust has eaten," and "gives us beauty for ashes."  Just this past week, my friend Mishel, who's husband literally left the whole family two years ago, and walked away from it all, was remarried to a wonderful man who loves her and cares for her.  GOD has led her on in a closer walk with HIM and brought beauty for ashes.  GOD has led Greg and Wanda on, and brought Greg through cancer,  and brought them into a deeper relationship with HIMself.  GOD has led our soldiers on who have served  us so very faithfully, and those who didn't come home, GOD has led their families and loved ones on and healed their broken hearts.  

As for me, being on the way, the Lord led me . . . —Genesis 24:27

We should be so one with God that we don’t need to ask continually for guidance. Sanctification means that we are made the children of God. A child’s life is normally obedient, until he chooses disobedience. But as soon as he chooses to disobey, an inherent inner conflict is produced. On the spiritual level, inner conflict is the warning of the Spirit of God. When He warns us in this way, we must stop at once and be renewed in the spirit of our mind to discern God’s will (see Romans 12:2). If we are born again by the Spirit of God, our devotion to Him is hindered, or even stopped, by continually asking Him to guide us here and there. “. . . the Lord led me . . .” and on looking back we see the presence of an amazing design. If we are born of God we will see His guiding hand and give Him the credit.

We can all see God in exceptional things, but it requires the growth of spiritual discipline to see God in every detail. Never believe that the so-called random events of life are anything less than God’s appointed order. Be ready to discover His divine designs anywhere and everywhere.

Beware of being obsessed with consistency to your own convictions instead of being devoted to God. If you are a saint and say, “I will never do this or that,” in allprobability this will be exactly what God will require of you. There was never a more inconsistent being on this earth than our Lord, but He was never inconsistent with His Father. The important consistency in a saint is not to a principle but to the divine life. It is the divine life that continually makes more and more discoveries about the divine mind. It is easier to be an excessive fanatic than it is to be consistently faithful, because God causes an amazing humbling of our religious conceit when we are faithful to Him.

                                                                   -Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost for HIS Highest" Nov. 14

      GOD has led me on...and through years of broken health, HE has led on, bringing me to HIMself, and how i thank HIM for the deeper walk with HIM and multitude of blessings that are mine and my family's because of my sickness, not in spite of it. Your love and friendship are among my greatest blessings that GOD has brought to me.  HIS grace and HIS power in my weakness, and HIS presence have become so much more real to me.  As i have come to HIM in my brokenness, and offered it up to HIM, HE has been ever so faithful to "perfect that which concerneth me." How I thank HIM for HIS grace that has been so sufficient to supply all my needs in CHRIST JESUS, and make things even better than i could ask or imagine.

   

     This past Sunday, and for the past several days before that, i was very uncomfortable from  "mistakenly," taking a higher dosage in my thyroid med for the past month than my doctor intended me to.  There are no mistakes in GOD's economy..."HE engineers our circumstances," and works all things together for good. 

  He leadeth me oh blessed thought!

      O words with heavenly comfort fraught!

  What e'er I do, where I be, 

      still tis GOD's hand that leadeth me"                                                

    I needed HIS help to play the drums for HIM in my weakness and HE was so very faithful to help me as HE has each step of the past.   I have nothing that i can do apart from HIM.  My abilities and your abilities are all HIS gifts, HIS grace, and HIS enablements.  As HIS 48 year old child, i realize that all i have to give HIM, HE has already given to me.  I have no gift to bring to HIM that HE hasn't already gifted me to give HIM.  HE simply asks me to bring those gifts to HIM and do my best to bring glory to HIM.  HE will supply the help and grace i need to do that...HE will be strong in my weakness.    "I play my drum for HIM, "because HE has given me the ability to play for HIM.   I am so honored to play for HIM, whether it's the drums, cymbals, or sing, what a privilege to praise HIM who is so worthy of all our praise! 

    GOD wants us to bring come to HIM and let HIM transform our weakness into HIS strength...to show us HIS love and bring glory to HIMself.  

   On "you tube", i found a video from "The Little Drummer Boy," http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZvjPCcHI4g&feature=related. This video is great!  Please take time to watch it if you don't read any further.  In it, the little boy's lamb get's injured and is dying. He asks the question, "Who Can Help me?"  Through the little boy's grief and search for help for his little lamb, GOD divinely leads him to the KING, Baby JESUS.  When the little boy comes to baby JESUS, seaking healing for his little lamb, he worships HIM by playing his little drum for HIM. GOD wants us too, to worship HIM in the midst of our trials and tragedies, and offer HIM to him a "sacrifice of praise."

    

"Therefore, by HIM let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to GOD,that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to HIS name.But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices GOD is well pleased." Hebrews 13:15

     GOD transforms those tragedies, through the Cross, and HE brings us our greatest blessings through our trials.   GOD uses our tragedies and trials  to lead us to HIM that we would seek HIM for the healing that we all so desperately need in our lives.  The greatest healing we need is that  of salvation from everlasting hell.  GOD's greatest desire is that you and i would turn from our sins and trust in the work that JESUS CHRIST did on the cross to pay for our sins.  HE loves us so very much and wants to give us the gift of eternal salvation and a personal and intimate relationship with HIM now and for all eternity.  "FOR GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only SON that whosoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

  

       "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

       That saved a wretch like me,

        I once was lost but now i'm found,

        Was blind but now i see."

                                                                               

      Wherever we find ourselves in life, GOD has "engineered our circumstances," and led us on that we might find HIM and glorify HIM.  "Andyou will seek ME and find me when you search for ME with all of your heart." Jer. 29:13.   GOD has led us on  and we are to glorify our KING, with whatever  circumstances and talents HE's blessed us with...whether it's playing "my drum for HIM,"  or suffering with a chronic illness, GOD gives us the grace to bring glory to HIMself through our lives and through our circumstances, til HE leads us safely HOME. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of GOD.  I Cor. 10:31

.

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum. 

  

    I hope and pray that you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving, thanking  our heavenly FATHER from whom all  our blessings and gifts flow.   I thank the LORD for you and for your love and prayers and dear encouragement to me and my family.  I'm not sure if i'll get out a note next week...we're looking forward to my brothers and their families and Mom and Dad coming here for Thanksgiving so I'll busy using my "gifts" to cook and clean next week:)...uggh, those abilities are debatable if you ask my family...i was too busy playing the drums and playing ball when i was little.  My sis got those abilities...really!  So thankful everyone is pitching in and bringing dishes. Looking forward to HB heading home from Mobile on Weds. please pray for her as she travels...so thankful for the way the LORD JESUS is growing her in her walk with CHRIST.   She and John Mac are planning to attend the "Iron Bowl" on Friday with my brother in law and his family...looking forward to my niece Corinne and her boyfriend Kirk coming from Indiana University where they attend school. My nephew Daniel will be headed home from Auburn, and Martin from Alabama.   They all have finals coming up, please pray for them, John Mac only has a couple of more weeks left until graduation... Praise the LORD!!!!  Thank you for your continued prayers for him. 

             "Precious LORD, Take My Hand,

              Lead me on help me stand.

              I am weak, i am tired, i am worn. 

              Through the storm, thro the night,

              Lead me onto the light.

             Take my hand, precious LORD, lead me HOME."

   May we  give thanks to the LORD for all the ways HE has led in our lives, the blessings HE pours out upon us, and HIS faithfulness to meet our daily needs. 

"Oh give thanks to the LORD,

 Call upon HIS name,

 Make known HIS deeds among the peoples!

 Sing to HIM, sing psalms to HIM,

 Talk of all HIS wondrous works!"

                    -IChronicles 15:8

      Most of all we thank YOU, LORD, for YOUR PRECIOUS SON JESUS WHO gave HIS life for us and rose victorious from the grave...

      "Oh victory in JESUS my SAVIOR forever,

      HE sought me and bought me with HIS redeeming love. 

      HE loved me ere i knew HIM and all my love is due HIM, 

      HE plunged me to victory, beneath the cleansing flood!" 

Happy Thanksgiving!

                                                                           With all HIS Love,

                                                                                         

                                                                              mitzi, the not so little drummer girl

 

http://decaturdaily.com/detail.html?sub_id=71130-Pictures of My Dad, Harold Fowler, in "The Decatur Daily" last week honoring our Veteran's...pictures 1 and 2.

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/-"It's Shoebox Time" Last week to get the Shoe boxes in for Samaritan's Purse...you can make a Donation online.

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