Friday, October 29, 2010

Halloween: A Great Opportunity and "One HOLY LAMB"

"For it was the FATHER's good pleasure for all the fulness to dwell in HIM, and through HIM to reconcile all things to HIMself, having made peace through the blood of HIS cross; through HIM...and although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet HE has now reconciled you in HIS fleshly body through death, in order to present you before HIM holy and blameless and beyond reproach-"
                                                               Col. 1:19-22

    
    Dear Praying Friends and Family,
                It is a glorious beautiful fall day as i begin to write this afternoon.  After the stormy weather with tornado warnings we experienced all afternoon on Tuesday, and the LORD protecting us,  i'm so very thankful for this gorgeous day the LORD has given us.  I enjoyed very much walking the "Big Girls" this morning in the newly cut field nearby and seeing the red, orange and yellow leaves on the trees as we walked through the newly rolled hay bales lying in the field.  It sure did me good to take time to spend with them and my LORD walking through the field and woods and down to the creek where Dixie and Midnight eagerly sprawled out in the creek and lapped up the water.
    
               This weekend is a  very special weekend for our family.  Tonight some of our family are gathering at our restaurant, www.oldgreenbrier.com/ to celebrate my dear Daddy's 84th birthday.  My sis and her hubby are driving up from Leeds, Al, and she is bringing the cake.  We're planning to meet my brother Joe and his wife Marilyn and Mom and Dad at 6:00p.m. I'm hoping some of Daddy's brother's and his sis might can join us too so come on and join us if you'd like.   We gave Daddy a bicycle for his 80th birthday.  He's ridden it quiet a bit, but it sure did scare me when  a dog got after him shortly after we gave it to him and he had a wreck and bruised himself really good.  Tonight, we're playing it a little safer and we've all pitched in to give him a Wal-Mart gift certificate where he likes to shop.    Daddy was born the day before or on Halloween in 1926.  There is some confusion about which day...his birth certificate says one thing and his Mom another and i think his Mom knows when her baby was born...so we just celebrate all around Halloween.  The main thing is we celebrate the wonderful Daddy the LORD provided us 5 siblings.  My Daddy is not a perfect man, as no man is...he is a sinner saved by the grace of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, but o how we thank GOD for the Daddy he gave us, that GOD used to love us and shape us and spank us and mold  us into who GOD created and designed us to be. HE gave us just the right Daddy with his strengths and weaknesses to be who we needed in our family.  I thank my heavenly FATHER for my earthly Daddy, and the love HE has lavished upon my life through him.  Just a couple of weeks ago as we were preparing to leave for a "tune up" trip to see my doctor in Texas, my Daddy gave us some money to help us out with our expenses. He's touched my heart so very much and has helped us out like that so many times through the years...such a picture of our heavenly FATHER's steadfast love to us in providing all our needs in CHRIST JESUS.

     
     This is Halloween weekend, and for weeks now,  in our Sunday School class, our pastor's wife, has been encouraging us to buy a bag of candy each time we go to "Wally World."  She has gently coerced us to to "decorate our trunks," for the outreach our church is having to the community this coming Sunday night on Halloween night.   Our pastor shared that last year, there were around 2000 children and parents who came to our church parking lot during Halloween to play games, recieve candy, and somewhere along the line,  hear the gospel of JESUS CHRIST.  I am not sure yet how we are going to decorate our "trunk," as seeing how we don't have a trunk in our car, but our pastor's wife suggested we could do a fish theme for Greenbrier and advertise.  She was kind to suggest that, but Johnny and i neither one felt comfortable with advertising at church. But i still think we'll use the fish theme...i've got a big old stuffed catfish, with a "fish net," Johnny brought me from the restauraunt, and i was thinking about something along the line of "Being Fisher's of Men."  I ordered some tracts earlier this week from Chick Tracts and they have already arrived. I am looking forward to giving them out, along with candy, on Saturday night to the trick or treaters we have come to our home  and then on Sunday evening for those who come to the "Trunk or Treat," at First Baptist.  One of the tracts is called, "Happy Halloween."  You can read it here:


Another tract that is new and for younger children is called "Stinky" http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/1065/1065_01.asp 


   I also ordered some of these same tracts in Spanish to give out to the Hispanics...the children are taught to read English in school, but maybe some of the parents will be able to read these tracts and be led to give their hearts to JESUS.  
 
     When i was a little girl, somehow one of the Chick tracts found its way in our home.  It was called "This Was Your Life."  I remember thinking about that tract for years and it had a profound impact on my life.

    I am thankful the LORD led me to order the tracts for this year, and i'm praying that GOD would use these little tracts to plant seeds as HE did in my heart as a little girl and to draw others to CHRIST who read them.  You know if you read this and think wow, i wish i had thought of ordering tracts but it's too late...it's okay. It may be too late to hand out tracts for Halloween, but you can order them next week and have them in two days and share them in restaurants, at the grocery, in the waiting room, wherever the LORD leads you.
     You can still pray for those who come to your door, and smile and be friendly and ask the LORD to use you and your family to be a witness in the love you show the ones the LORD brings to your doorstep.

       Earlier this week,  i received a well written email entitled, "Halloween: Oppression or Opportunity?" by Hank Hanegraaff.  In his article   he explained the pagan origins of Halloween and it's occultic roots:

"The celebration of Halloween, also known as the witches’ new year, is rooted in the ancient pagan calendar which divided the year into Summer and Winter by two fire festivals. Before the birth of Christ, the day we know as Halloween was part of the Celtic Feast of Samhain (sah–ween). This feast was a celebration of Druid priests from Britain and France and commemorated the beginning of Winter. It was a night on which the veil between the present world and the world beyond was pierced. The festivals were marked by animal sacrifices, offerings to the dead, and bonfires in recognition of departed souls. It was believed that on this night demons, witches, hobgoblins, and elves were released en masse to harass and to oppress the living. For self-preservation many Druids would dress up as witches, devils, and ghouls, and would even involve themselves in demonic activities and thus make themselves immune from attack."

    He went on to explain how the early CHRISTians turned this time into a day to celebrate the lives of the saints and named the time before Halloween "All Hallow's Eve."

"In direct response to this pagan tradition, the early Christian church moved a festive celebration called All Saints’ Day from May to November 1 and renamed it All Hallows’ Eve, from which we get the word Halloween. This was an overt attempt on the part of believers to infiltrate pagan tradition with the truth of the gospel.
It was a bold evangelistic move designed to demonstrate that only the power of the resurrected Christ could protect men and women from the destructive ploys of Satan and his minions. This was a time in which they boldly proclaimed the marvelous fact of the resurrection and the lordship of Jesus Christ.""


  Hank  challenged Christians in post CHRISTian America to take this  time of Halloween and turn it into an opportunity  to win others to CHRIST and sow the seeds of the gospel.  He gives some great suggestions for how to do this, and even mentions his dear grandmother who prayed for him and whose prayers continued to be answered for him long after his grandmother had gone to be with JESUS.  I can sure relate to that as the prayers of my dear Grandmother have sure continued to be answered for me and my family and she has been with JESUS for many years now. 
    You can read his complete article with his suggestions for using Halloween as an opportunity to evangelize others for CHRIST.   
  

      
    Over the past few weeks, i have read a passage in Ephesians 2:1-6 that jumps out at me each time i read it.  It reminds me of the deadness and darkness that i have been delivered from...it reminds me of the prince of the power of the air, and the spiritual warfare that takes place behind the scenes to keep us in bondage to our sins, and it reminds me of the the great love of our heavenly FATHER who sent HIS SON to shed HIS blood that we might be delivered from darkness into the kingdom of HIS marvelous light..."that we might be made alive together with CHRIST and raised up with HIM and seated in the heavenlies..."

"And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working the sons of disobedience.  Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.  But GOD being rich in mercy, because of HIS great love with which HE loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with CHRIST (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with HIM, and seated us with HIM in the heavenly places, in CHRIST JESUS." 

    Halloween truly is a time of darkness, and the prince of the power of the air is alive and well.  This morning in my "Daily Light," devotion the verses for the evening were about "the enemy,"Luke 10:19 and what a great enemy we have that wants to destroy our souls and keep us in bondage to our sin, and rob us of our usefulness to CHRIST.  I Peter 5:8 says, "Be sober-minded; be watchful.  Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 
     In Ephesians 6:11-16 we are admonished by Paul to: 
"Put on the whole armor of GOD, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkenss, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of GOD, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.  Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.  In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one." 

    Though the enemy of our souls is great, the LORD JESUS CHRIST is greater, and HE gave HIS life and shed HIS blood to rescue us and give us victory over "the enemy," and powers of darkness that are real and that war against us.    In 1st John  4:4 John exhorts us:

"You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world."

    If you don't know the LORD JESUS as your personal LORD and SAVIOR, you are in darkness and in bondage to the enemy, satan himself.  He is the roaring lion who seeks to devour you, and keep you in bondage to your sin, and destroy your soul by deceiving you to reject the free gift of salvation that is in JESUS CHRIST.  One of the way satan deceives is by tricking people into thinking they are CHRISTians when they aren't.  I John tells us, "By this we know that we have come to know HIM if we keep HIS commandments."  That doesn't mean we will be perfect, but it does mean the direction of our life will be filled with the love of CHRIST for HIM, for HIS WORD, and  for others.  Is your life characterized by these three tests?  If not, then surrender your life to JESUS today, repent of your sins, and confess HIM as your LORD and SAVIOR.  HE died for you and loves you so very much and longs to rescue you and make you HIS.

     "For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believeth in HIM shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

    This week, my heart has been so touched by a song called "One Holy Lamb," I think written by Phil Cross,that the Greenes sing on their new CD, "Hallelujah."  Their new CD had only come out two weeks before the LORD called Tony Greene to come home. I wondered about GOD's timing with calling Tony home when HE did...but i just have to trust GOD knows what HE's doing as in all things.   As i listened to this song over and over this week, my heart was filled with love for my SAVIOR who shed HIS precious blood for you and me, to pay the price for our sins, that we might be rescued from darkness and lavished with HIS love forever and ever.  I pray the LORD will use this song to be a blessing to you as HE has to me this week as i think about the precious HOLY LAMB of GOD who shed HIS blood for me and you:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9ZQGHbFclE "One Holy Lamb."

 "One Holy Lamb"
Atonement day, a shepherd cries
Another spotless lamb must die
Oh how could just one sacrifice
Our GOD, Jehovah, satisfy?
Year after year, the blood would flow
But none could wash me white as snow
Salvation's day fulfilled the plan
The Promise came, One Holy Lamb.

Chorus:
One Holy Lamb washed my sin away
One sacrifice paid the price I could not pay
One HOLY LAMB, One GREAT I AM, One SEED of Abraham
One HOLY LAMB washed my sin away!

Atonement day, the FATHER cries
The spotless SON of GOD must die
One final death for every man
One blood, one life, one HOLY LAMB."

    Dear LORD JESUS, thank you, HOLY LAMB for shedding your blood and giving your life on the cross to wash my sins away and delivering me from darkness into the kingdom of your Beloved Son.  LORD, i ask YOU to open our eyes up more and more to YOUR great love for us and help us to be faithful to share that great love with those YOU bring into our lives.  Help us to be faithful to share YOU at Halloween, and each day as long as YOU give us life and breath.  Use each one of us in the  circumstances you have placed us to draw others to YOU, the HOLY LAMB WHO is so worthy of all of our praise.   I love YOU, JESUS, and praise YOU, one HOLY LAMB who washed my sins away!

    Please remember in your prayers our elections this coming Tuesday.  We live in a time where there is corruption not only in the leaders we have elected, but also the way they are elected.  There is already many reports of voter fraud, so please be lifting all these issues up to our LORD WHO is in control of all the events in our lives: http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Unreliable-voting-machines-and-their-reliable-lying-administrators.html?soid=1102218983435&aid=BeyJcGH-lUA


    Also would you please remember my friend Shirley who will be starting radiation treatments for cancer in her brain right around Thanksgiving.  She is having some very difficult days, please pray the LORD's comfort and strength for her. 
     My friend Jerry Todd had rotator cuff surgery and has been having some very difficult reactions to the medication he's on.  It's aggravating his blood sugar.  Please remember him and his dear wife Louise as the LORD takes them through these rough waters. 
     My dear doctor and her family in the loss of her Daddy a few weeks ago.
   
     Please remember all the churches who will be having "Trunk or Treats," or Reformation Days, or whatever your church or family is doing this weekend to lift up the name of CHRIST and share the glorious gospel of JESUS CHRIST with your community.  Pray the LORD would "heighten our powers," and pour out HIS HOLY SPIRIT on all the efforts being made to win others to JESUS  CHRIST.  If you live in our area we'd love for you to come join us at the Fall Family Harvest Festival at First Baptist, Athens from 5p.m.-7p.m....i will look forward to seeing you there!

    I love you and appreciate so much you taking time to read this email and spend with me...may the LORD JESUS bless you richly!  "I thank my GOD upon every remembrance of you." Phil.1:3
                                                                      
                                                                                   With all HIS love,
                                                                                           mitzi                                                                    


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Christian News
                                                                                      

  
"Because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her."
                                            Luke 18:5

"We should be careful about what we ask from GOD; but when once we being to pray for a thing we should never give up praying for it until we receive it, or until GOD makes it very clear and definite that is is not HIS will to grant it."     
                                              -R.A. Torrey                                                                                                                                                                                                         


Number 2

Friday, October 22, 2010

GOD Lavishes HIS Love in Texas and "Rescued!"


"Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless HIS holy name.  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of HIS benefits; WHO pardons all your iniquities; WHO heals all your diseases; WHO redeems your life from the pit; WHO crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; WHO satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle." Psalm 103:1-5

Dear Praying Friends and Family,
   Your prayers for me this week  for my trip toTexas were answered "exceeding abundantly above all i asked or thought."  GOD was so faithful in leading me to go when i did, and Johnny being able to join me was such a blessing.  We left last Sunday, and stopped by Clinton, Mississippi and had a sweet visit with Lizzie and Jonathon, my niece and her new hubby.  What a beautiful home and marriage the LORD has blessed them with...GREAT is THY FAITHFULNESS.  
     We arrived in Richardson, Texas, late Sunday evening and stayed at the Richardson Extended Stay Suites, where they had a room for chemically sensitive folks like me.  It was a really nice room, with a great rate...it just had a rather strong smell that was difficult for me to be in the room for any length of time.  So after getting unpacked, i bedded down in the back of my car and slept great.  The next day, i  thought about  an air filter we had ordered a couple of weeks ago through my doctor, and i called to check and see if it was in.  It was...and boy, did GOD ever provide through the air filter.  I was able to stay in the room without discomfort during the day.
    The LORD provided a  nearby place to sauna and workout at the 24 Hour Fitness gym. The lady there gave me a great rate too.  I went there each day we were in Richardson. I enjoyed their facilities very much, though the sauna was a little hotter than i am used to, 170-180...wow!  One guy in the sauna said it reminded him of what "hell," was like and another guy said, "No, hell is going to be a lot hotter than this..." And i added, and hell is going to go on forever and ever.  Well, every conversation didn't turn toward the spiritual...the next day i was in there with my green glass Mountain Valley Water bottle, and a guy thought i was drinking "tequilla."  I don't know what a tequilla bottle looks like but we had a good laugh about that...i assured him i wasn't drinking tequilla...it was only water. 
     Johnny and i enjoyed our time away together very much...so thankful for him being able to rest and have a vacation that he hasn't taken in a long time, and for us to be able to spend time together.  On Tuesday we saw our dear doctor, and what a blessing it was to see her after over a year!  She was very helpful as always, and I sure did enjoy getting to spend time with her.
      Tuesday night Johnny and i had fun listening to the Rangers play the Yankees on the radio in the car.  The place we stayed at didn't get that channel on TV, so folks were listening on their radios in their cars and out on the balconies.  Johnny used to work on the Rangers ground crew when he was in seminary and  Nolan Ryan was pitching for the Rangers. It made it extra special for us to be out in Texas while the Rangers are in the playoffs...and looking very much like their first WORLD SERIES. Wednesday i did some allergy testing, and that evening Johnny and i enjoyed going out together and ate at a really good fish grill place in Richardson.  Then, we visited the nearby yogurt shop and sat outside under the full moon.  The weather was so mild while we were out there and it was great to just sit and talk outside around the tables.  We ventured into Starbucks next door, where Johnny tried out the internet on his cell phone, and i read the papers.  No coffee for us, but it made us feel young, or yuppy or something just to be in there....
     Yesterday we took our time leaving, and after enjoying a Mexican meal in Plano at the El Fenix, we headed home.  GOD blessed our trip with beautiful weather and safe traveling.  As i was driving when it was getting dark, the sky was blue, pink, and the moon was full...GOD was really showing out.   It was really cozy driving home by the light of the full moon...i had the sun roof cover pushed open so i could see it through there also.   Reminds me of the song, "Buffalo girls won't you come out tonight, won't you come out tonight won't you come out tonight, Buffalo girls won't you come out tonight and dance by the light of the moon..." from my favorite movie, "It's A Wonderful Life." We got home safely about 11:40 p.m. unloaded and for the most part got unpacked,  and i got the washing machine going.  
  GOD was so faithful to hear and answer so many prayers for this week.  My faith has grown as i look and see how HE provided all my needs...my sweet Daddy giving us some money before we left to help us out, Johnny's brother and folks here working for him so he could be with me, Johnny's folks caring for "Troy," and my sweet neighbor Trish carrying for the "big girls," and "Peach," our cat,  a "safe" place to stay at a very reasonable price, Johnny going with me, the air filter so i could stay in the room comfortably (and our doctor having an extra filter so we could get one for us and for our son) our doctor being so very helpful with our medical needs, safe travel, and the car running well.  I forgot to check the oil before we left and it was past due and the check engine light came on just as we left Sunday. Johnny pulled over on the side of the interstate and thankfully  the gas cap just needed repositioning...whew, thank you LORD for rescuing me out of that one!  And GOD provided so many of the desires of my heart:  Getting to spend time away with my husband was a huge desire...and Johnny being able to rest and feel refreshed when he came home was such a great blessing. There were many other answered prayers while we were there and GOD made the way and I praise HIM for HIS leading and HIS provision, and HIM answering specific prayers and giving me the desires of my heart...longtime desires of my heart were fulfilled. HE is so good, and kind, and HIS works are marvelous...oh LORD  i praise YOU and rejoice in YOUR lovingkindness and goodness and faithfulness in my life.  I cannot praise YOU enough for the love that YOU continually lavish upon me, YOUR child...Abba Father...Daddy, Daddy. 
    Speaking of GOD providing, i knew we would be traveling all day Thursday, my usual writing day and i wouldn't get an opportunity to write you.  Earlier this week, i was reading Paul Heil's "Gospel Greats" email and as i read it, i realized it was exactly what i was planning to write about last week  until i sat down and starting typing and GOD led me to share about the miracle that HE has done in Tim Greene's life...and HIS answers to prayers that I had prayed long ago and forgot about. So when i read Paul's newsletter, and he did such a great job, i wrote and ask permission if i could share it with you this week. I appreciate Paul and Shelia granting me that permission and i pray the LORD will use it to help you and me understand more of the great sacrifice HE made in sending HIS SON so that we might be rescued from "the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of HIS beloved SON; in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins." Col. 1:13-14   
Paul's Epistle... 
"Rescued!"
A week ago, all the world was mesmerized by the ongoing "miracle" rescue of 33 miners trapped deep underground in a mine in Chile for 69 days, a process that took an agonizing 22 hours. More than a billion people around the world sat glued to their TV sets to watch the amazing rescue attempt. Fox News Channel had its highest viewership in ten years, drawing more viewers than even NBC.
While the facts of the rescue have been covered in great detail by the mainstream media, here are some things you might not have heard on the news.
When the miners were rescued – when they came up one-at-a-time in that rescue capsule – most (perhaps all) of the miners were wearing special yellow T-shirts. These had been created by the Chilean branch of Campus Crusade for Christ. Emblazoned boldly across the front of the T-shirts were the words, in Spanish, "Thank you, Lord." The miners, in fact, had requested these words. The shirts were made and sent down to them while they waited for rescue.
But that's not all. A quotation on the back of the shirts which began "porque en su mano estan..." was actually Scripture. It was Psalm 95:4: "In His hands are the depths of the earth, the heights of the mountains are His also."
Campus Crusade had also provided the trapped miners – while still deep underground – with MP3 players with the audio version of the "Jesus" film. They also received the Bible in audio format.
Now here's the good news. Rev. Aldredo Cooper, the chaplain to the President of Chile, said of the rescued miners, "They're all wanting to testify to the Lord Jesus Christ. All 33 of them are saying that they found God in the mine. Five or six were already Christians and held services down in the mine. Many went down with no faith at all but they all say this: ‘We were not 33; we were 34 because Jesus Christ was with us down there.'"
One miner, Mario Sepulveda, told reporters, "We never lost faith. We knew we would be rescued. I have been with God and I've been with the devil. I seized the hand of God. I always knew God would get us out of there."
One interesting point that I had missed was that a medic actually was sent down the rescue hole before the other miners could be brought up. Isn't that a picture of what God did? He sent His Son down to us before we could be rescued. We all, like the miners, were in darkness. But, as Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12). And, "I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness" (John 12:46).
I can only imagine the reaction, if those miners, trapped deep underground, came across Psalm 88 on their audio Bibles, when these words rang in their ears:
I am counted with those who go down to the pit;
I am like a man who has no strength,
Adrift among the dead,
Like the slain who lie in the grave,
You have laid me in the lowest pit,
In darkness, in the depths.
You have put away my acquaintances far from me;
I am shut up, and I cannot get out;
My eye wastes away...
LORD, I have called daily upon You;
I have stretched out my hands to You.
Will You work wonders for the dead?
  (Psalm 88: 4-10, selected portions)
Each of us was once imprisoned (trapped) in the chains of sin. We walked in complete spiritual darkness and were spiritually dead. But Jesus Himself went to the depths to set us free. "At just the right time, when we were still powerless [trapped in sin], Christ died for the ungodly. While we were still sinners [trapped], Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:6,8).
Feeling trapped? Longing to see the Light? God is ready, willing and able to rescue you completely. Then you, too, will thank and praise Him for your miracle rescue.
- Paul
Comments on this? paulheil@thegospelgreats.com

   You know, last week, i shared about the "Miracle in Me," that Tim Greene experienced...but the greater miracle than the LORD healing him physically, was the spiritual miracle that GOD did when he rescued Tim from his sins long ago to be HIS child and lavish HIM with HIS love for all eternity.  GOD wants to  do a miracle rescue in each one of our lives...it's not HIS will that any should perish.  JESUS says in John 3:3, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of GOD." Only those who have repented of their sins, and trusted in the blood that JESUS CHRIST shed on the Cross of Calvary for the payment of our sins will experience that 'miracle rescue," and be "born again."  You can do that right now, as you read this, by crying out to GOD and asking HIM to rescue you from your sins.
      I didn't really know what song i was going to use this week, but as i've written this last paragraph i feel led to use "There's a Miracle in Me," that i shared with you last week.  Tim sang that so beautifully with his sister Kim, and brother in law Dean, just a few days after they buried their brother Tony.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DziW_9avxA8
  Each one of us that JESUS rescues, one by one, is a miracle...and that rescue  cost JESUS dearly...leaving HIS glorious home in heaven, and laying down HIS life for us on a Cross. HE did it because HE loves us so very much. "For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whosover believes in HIM shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:26.   Why don't you give your life to HIM today and let HIM do a "Miracle in You?"  
   Thank you for letting me brag on the LORD JESUS and HIS sweet love and provision and faithfulness in our lives....thank you for your prayers that GOD answered and i praise HIM and thank GOD for you.  Thank you, Paul and Shelia for allowing me to share Paul's e letter this week...you can also read that at http://www.thegospelgreats.com/.
   Before i close i wanted to share with you an open letter that Taranda Greene, Tony's wife shared this week through the Singing News website:http://www.singingnews.com/Southern-Gospel-News/11639724/ Thank ya'll so much for your continued prayers for her and her two little girls and family.  As you can tell from the letter, Taranda is such a dear and special young lady...she's only 30, and GOD is in the midst of her pain and sorrow in the loss of her husband. HE has another plan for her than the one she pictured, and she is trusting HIM to lead her in the way.
    I love ya'll and thank GOD for you...your prayers are moving the heart of GOD and bring me great joy and delight as i see GOD hearing and answering them.  Would you please remember my friend Shirley as she is making decisions concerning her cancer treatment?  As you can imagine this is a very scary time for her.  Thank you for remembering her and her daughter Mishel in your prayers.  Mishel is getting married in a couple of weeks, and will be leaving her new husband in Nebraska to come and minister to her Mom during this difficult time.  GOD bless you dear prayer warriors for your faithful prayers for me and my loved ones.
To GOD be the glory great things HE has done and continues to do.
                                                      With all HIS love,
                                                                   mitzi
GO RANGERS...American League Champions!!!!





-- 

Christian News
   

"We have an assured confidence that whenever we ask anything in accordance with HIS will, HE listens to us:  And since we know that HE listens to us, then whatever we ask, we know that we have the  things which we have asked from HIM."  I John 5:14,15

     "I never prayed sincerely and earnestly for anything but it came; at some time-no matter how distant the day-somehow, in some shape, probably the last I should have devised, it came."-Adoniram Judson


‎"Men may spurn our appeal, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons, but they are helpless against our prayers." J. Sidlow Baxter

                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Friday, October 15, 2010

"Miracle in Me"


" The LORD will accomplish what concerns me;  THY lovingkindness, O LORD is everlasting." Psalm 138:8
Dear Praying Friends and Family,
     I've been thinking a lot about what to share with you this week and after writing most of this, i am amazed at what GOD led me to share with you, because this wasn't what i have been thinking about:).  But, these emails are HIS emails and the only thing i have to share is what HE puts in my heart and writes through my weakness so ..."i don't have to know the reason,  I will keep on trusting GOD."
  My heart continues to be full and in awe at what the LORD has done and continues to do in answer to long time prayers HE put in my heart several years ago for Tim Greene. 
    If you've been following these emails for the past several years now you know the story of how i met Tim at the Environmental Health Clinic in Dallas about seven years ago.  Tim was so very sick when he arrived he couldn't hardly walk, he was in a wheelchair and he had been close to death several times.  Tim experienced severe headaches, numbness in his legs, and could not be around the slightest hint of mold for several years without it making him severely sick.  Because of this GOD redirected his life and moved his family to the beautiful beach in Ocean Isle, North Carolina from the beautiful mountains of Boone, NC where he was raised.  Before Tim got sick, he was on the road sharing the good news of JESUS CHRIST and singing the praises of HIS SAVIOR with his brother Tony, and sis in law Taranda. Tim had sang many, many years with his Dad, sis, Kim, and brother Tony before that. Tim was also the pastor of Westview Baptist Church, and had a recording studio where he recorded the Greene's music, as well as many other singers.  When he got sick, Tim had to give all these things up, and move to the beach where GOD has kept him for the last six years. He and his dear wife, Amy and daughter Brittany all were uprooted.  Not too long after their move...GOD blessed Tim and Amy with a miracle baby, Brooklyn who will be 6 in December.  Up until May a year ago, Tim would get so sick when he went inland from the mold, that GOD pretty much confined him to the beach.  
    A year before Tim was miraculously healed, GOD laid it on his heart that HE was going to heal Tim.  Tim thought about that and prayed and wondered when that healing was going to come.  That year before he was healed, and those months before he was healed were filled with more great trials in Tim's life.  
     Last August, my family was getting ready to leave the beach, where we were visiting with our friends the Hembree's, when i got a call from Tim and he told me about the miraculous healing that GOD had done in his life.  He told me how he was traveling every weekend sharing what GOD had done for him and singing songs of praise and encouragement wherever GOD opened the door for him to share.  That was so amazing to me....all those years that Tony and Taranda sang around here, and as glad as i was to see them, i always wondered if i would ever get to see Tim and his family.  I was always so glad to see Tony and Taranda, yet there was an ache in my heart for this one the LORD had put such a burden in my heart to pray for.  
     In November of last year, Tim and his daughter Brittany came to a church right across from our restaurant in Greenbriar, Al.   I can't tell you what an amazing thing this was for me...after all the prayers, all the silence...and GOD did a miracle, healed Tim, and delivered him and his daughter at Greenbriar Baptist, a church right across from our restaurant to share his healing testimony and sing the praises of GOD.
     This past Friday night, GOD did another miracle .  For the first time in years, Tim was reunited with his dear sis, Kim, on stage in Cullman, Al. just three days after burying their dear brother, Tony Greene.  Tim and Kim, along with Kim's husband Dean sang "Miracle in Me," one of their most popular and powerful songs that GOD gave Phil Cross many years ago.  Dean sang Tony's part and did a great job.  As i shared last week, we had hoped this might be a reuniting of Tony, Kim and Tim getting to sing together on stage, but GOD had another plan, and took Tony HOME to be with HIM in heaven just a little over a week before.   
    What a powerful testimony of this dear family's faith in GOD as they didn't miss a beat singing praises to our LORD JESUS CHRIST.  At the funeral they sang HIS praises, beside their brother's casket, and three days later, they were continuing that in front of the audience in Cullman.  Those who remembered Tim on the road with the Greenes were so surprised when Tim Greene was announced and came walking out on that stage.  Kim and Tim sang the song they sang at Tony's graveside, "Go Rest High on that Mountain,"  "Miracle in Me," "If You'll Move Over Just a Little Bit, I'll Help You Carry Your Load," and "When I Knelt," the song Tim wrote after praying a year that GOD would give him a special song explaining the gospel that would reach people's hearts.  This was the Greene's first number one song, I think.  Tim wrote that song on the back of a MacDonald's bag one night somewhere out in Oklahoma.  Tony used to tell that story everywhere they went, how Tim came up to him on the bus, crying over the song GOD gave him that he had scribbled down on the bag.
     Tim sang one of my favorite songs, "I Don't Have to Know the Reason."  It was the first song i ever heard of the Greene's that gripped my heart.  The LORD woke me up from my sleep to hear these words Tim was singing, "I don't have to know the reason, i don't have to ask HIM why, I know HE knows what's best for me, best for my life, so i'll daily surrender to what HE has for me, I will keep on trusting GOD." Tim wrote these words, several years ago, after someone sent him a card asking what kind of sin did he do that GOD was punishing him and allowed him to get sick.  Tim who said it takes a lot to make him angry, threw the card in the trash, and penned those words above...GOD had a plan, and purpose for Tim's sickness and gave him this beautiful song that has encouraged so many hearts including mine.  This night in Cullman, Al...three days after burying his baby brother, the words again were especially meaningful and powerful as so many hearts there were hurting in the loss of Tony Greene who was scheduled to sing there that night with his family.
      As i shared above i had not intended at all on writing about Tim and his family this week,  but when i sat down and started typing this is what the LORD had for me to share with you.   Maybe, like me, there is someone who needs to know that JESUS is REAL, like the Greenes know HIM and JESUS cares for you and me so very much that HE loves us intimately.  If you had been the only one, GOD would have sent HIS SON to die for you HE loves us so much, HE loved us unto death.   One of my favorite songs that Tony sang is "All for Me," and it says, "If I had been the only one, YOU would have done it still for love, what grace untold, what love indeed, "All for me, All for me."
    Last night in Charles Spurgeon's "Morning and Evening," I read this devotion about the strong love of the our LORD JESUS CHRIST, the love that saved the Greenes and gives them the grace to sing about HIS love in the "dark night of their soul:"
"Evening: Strongest Love
"Love is strong as death."--Song of Solomon 8:6
Whose love can this be which is as mighty as the conqueror of monarchs, the destroyer of the human race? Would it not sound like satire if it were applied to my poor, weak, and scarcely living love to Jesus my Lord? I do love Him, and perhaps by His grace, I could even die for Him, but as for my love in itself, it can scarcely endure a scoffing jest, much less a cruel death. Surely it is my Beloved's love which is here spoken of--the love of Jesus, the matchless lover of souls. His love was indeed stronger than the most terrible death, for it endured the trial of the cross triumphantly. It was a lingering death, but love survived the torment; a shameful death, but love despised the shame; a penal death, but love bore our iniquities; a forsaken, lonely death, from which the eternal Father hid His face, but love endured the curse, and gloried over all. Never such love, never such death. It was a desperate duel, but love bore the palm. What then, my heart? Hast thou no emotions excited within thee at the contemplation of such heavenly affection? Yes, my Lord, I long, I pant to feel Thy love flaming like a furnace within me. Come Thou Thyself and excite the ardour of my spirit.

"For every drop of crimson blood
Thus shed to make me live,
O wherefore, wherefore have not I
A thousand lives to give
?"
Why should I despair of loving Jesus with a love as strong as death? He deserves it: I desire it. The martyrs felt such love, and they were but flesh and blood, then why not I? They mourned their weakness, and yet out of weakness were made strong. Grace gave them all their unflinching constancy--there is the same grace for me. Jesus, lover of my soul, shed abroad such love, even Thy love in my heart, this evening.
     When Tony died, it was such a shock.  Tony had sung just a week before at the NQC and with the Greene's you are always expecting GOD to do a miracle at the ninth hour.  GOD did do a miracle...when Tony was seven years old, GOD called Tony Greene to be his child, and Tony trusted JESUS as his LORD and Savior.  I can't remember if it was at their church, Westview Baptist, where Tim would later pastor, or if it was at home, but i think i remember him kneeling at the piano bench wherever it was to ask JESUS into his heart.  Thirty three years later, GOD would do another miracle, and take Tony's worn and torn body HOME to be with HIM forever and ever, because JESUS CHRIST died on a wooden cross two thousand years ago to pay the price for your sins and mine.  All who admit their sins to the LORD JESUS, believe in your heart that CHRIST died for you and confess HIM as your LORD and SAVIOR, will receive a "Miracle in YOU," just as Tony Greene did...and his family has sang about for so many years all over this country.
"For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only SON, that whosoever believe on HIM will not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
    It's a Miracle, our salvation, to be born again, and become a new creature and child of GOD.  Just ask someone who knows HIM and whose life HE has turned upside down by JESUS CHRIST.  Just ask the Greenes who have endured so very much to sing and tell the glorious gospel of our LORD JESUS CHRIST all over this land.  Tim and Kim could not sing the praises of their LORD JESUS at their brother's funeral, or three days later in Cullman, Al, if JESUS had not done a "Miracle in Me" and saved them and gave them a new heart, and HIS HOLY SPIRIT and put HIS desires in them to obey HIM.  HE has given them a greater hope and faith that one day they will see their brother again for all eternity because of what CHRIST JESUS has done for them.  Because of HIS love in them, they are compelled to sing and tell of their great SAVIOR's love for us.
    My hope and desire, GOD's hope and desire is that you will surrender to HIM and turn to HIM in faith and repentance to save you from the everlasting punishment of hell.  HE longs to "deliver us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of HIS beloved SON,"  where HE longs to lavish HIS love upon you.
     Those miners in Chile who were rescued this week were delivered from their domain of darkness after several weeks of being in the dark and separated from their loved ones. Their family and friends and the world were overjoyed as we watched them being pulled out one by one from their pit of darkness into the wonderful sunshine of this life and reunited with the family and friends.  As miner number two was interviewed he credited the rescuers with "giving me my life back."  Indeed they did temporarily, but JESUS CHRIST is the only one who can give LIFE eternally and HE paid the price with HIS own life...HE loved us unto death.   JESUS said, "I am the Way, the Truth, no man comes to the FATHER but through ME, "in John 14:6.  The domain of darkness in hell goes on forever and ever and ever.  Please trust HIM today before it is too late...none of us are promised the next minute.  Tony's death was a surprise and yours and mine may be too...are you ready to meet your CREATOR today?  Will you spend eternity in the domain of eternal darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth?   Are will you be reunited with your loved ones who have trusted in the LORD JESUS and spend eternity with CHRIST and with them?
       Tony Greene was  ready, not because of all the miles he had traveled  sharing the gospel and singing of GOD's faithfulness and all the suffering he had gone through to do that, but because of what CHRIST did for him on the cross 2000 years ago. Tony Greene accepted that gift of salvation and CHRIST as his LORD and SAVIOR as a young boy and he was ready when GOD called him HOME.  Tony was ready to be with HIM and with his Daddy, and Grandaddy and loved ones who have gone on before him.  Tony doesn't want us to be sad for his HOMEgoing, he wants us to "Celebrate Me Home."  This is a wonderful tribute to his life to the song, "Celebrate Me Home,"  sung by the Perry's  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PNC2WaN0-Q&feature=related

    I included some video from the great night in Cullman last week of the songs Tim sang with his sis Kim. I pray they will be a great encouragement to your heart as you listen.  I am so humbled at GOD's ways and  praise HIM for WHO HE is and for HIS great and wonderful and unending love for us.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DziW_9avxA8 Tim and Kim singing, "Miracle in Me," in Cullman, Al with Kim's husband, Dean Hopper...he sang Tony's part and did a great job. 
"Miracle in Me" siblings Tony, Kim and Tim Greene, the Greenes,  singing in 1987  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8lQe5EL-XA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LM7BMoXNxvo "I Don't Have to Know the Reasons," "Go Rest High on that Mountain," "If You'll Move Over Just a Little Bit I'll Help You Carry Your Load."  Tim  Greene and Kim Greene Hopper, Dean Hopper...three days after they buried their dear brother Tony.
    
     
 Miracle in Me

Oh To be there when the Savior,
Spoke with a great command;
And to witness in a wonder,
Of His wonder working hand;
No miracle has caught my eyes,
To cause my heart to see;
But by faith I'm led to realize,
There's a miracle in me.

And I have never seen the thousands fed,
Or the blind made to see;
I have never watched him raise the dead,
But I know when He lifted me;
It's a wonder right before my eyes,
Close enough to see;
In my heart is where this wonder lies,
There's a miracle in me.

If we have a faith that's measured,
By the smallest mustard seed;
All our mountains will be mastered,
By the Master of all our needs;
And if we have a child-like trust,
He said, He'll do the greatest things;
He will heal the sick, He will raise up the dead,
Be a miracle in me.

And I have never seen the thousands fed,
Or the blind made to see;
I have never watched him raise the dead,
But I know when He lifted me;
It's a wonder right before my eyes,
Close enough to see;
In my heart is where this wonder lies,
There's a miracle in me.

In my heart is where this wonder lies,
There's a miracle in me.
It's in me.
      I know i've already used the title "Miracle in Me" somewhere along the way, but i felt led to use it again in this email...it just seems like that's all i could name this one.  Thank you, dear ones, for your  continued prayers for the Greene family during this difficult time. There are many decisions to be made, and please continue to remember this special family.  This coming Sunday, Oct. 17 would have been Tony's 42 birthday...this is going to be a tough day for Taranda and the Greene family.  Please remember them especially on Sunday. 
     Tim  will be sharing his testimony and singing at Indian Grave Baptist Church this coming Sunday night near Clanton, Al. if any of you living down that way are able to hear him.  He is sharing Sunday morning also down that way, i'm just not sure where.  Indian Grave is the church that my husband pastored before we moved back to Athens due to my sickness.  What a special gift GOD has done to open the hearts of this church so dear to us to  have Tim  come and share his testimony and sing.

      GOD has heard and answered the prayers HE put in my heart years ago for Tim   "exceeding abundantly beyond all i ask or think."  I stand in awe of HIM and HIS faithfulness to hear and answer our prayers no matter how long ago they were prayed, and we have long forgotten.  HE has answered my cries for Tim and continues to and I praise my LORD for HIS power and lovingkindness. 

    
     We have been very blessed to be able to spend time with HB this week on her fall break.  Sat. night the kids and I enjoyed going to see Chris Tomlin in concert together and eating at IHOP afterwards.  HB and i enjoyed spending the day together Wednesday getting haircuts, shopping, eating at Earthfare, and visiting our friends the Radcliffes.  HB will be heading back to the University of Mobile on Sunday.  Please remember her as she travels, and for all that the LORD desires to accomplish in her life down there.  John Mac has about six weeks left and he will graduate from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in December. Please remember him in your prayers as he desires very much to finish strong and he's got some tough classes this semester. His allergies have been bothering him this fall, so please remember him for that...that GOD would use it in his life to shape and mold him as HE has me.  We sure have enjoyed having him around home more in the evenings the past month as he has been staying here during allergy season.  Please remember my dear husband as he works so hard to love and provide for our family.     I sure would appreciate you remembering me as i travel to Dallas next week for a little "tune up."  GOD always has special blessings for me as i go, and i am sure this trip will be no exception.  Please pray for me as i travel, for all the plans and purposes the LORD has for this trip. I'm looking forward to spending time with my niece Lizzie and her husband Jonathon on my way out there.  We are  "under construction," as Ruth Bell Graham says," and GOD's been doing a little hammering around here lately.  Your prayers mean so very much to us. I love ya'll and appreciate you so very much.
                                                                                             With all HIS love, 
                                                                                                mitzi
Pictured is Tim and me in August when he was  preaching at a church in Decatur.  Johnny and i and HB met him at Red Lobster afterwards for a wonderful time of fellowship and some good eating!
                                                    
   
Christian News
   
  "We have an assured confidence that whenever we ask anything in accordance with HIS will, HE listens to us:  And since we know that HE listens to us, then whatever we ask, we know that we have the  things which we have asked from HIM."  I John 5:14,15

     "I never prayed sincerely and earnestly for anything but it came; at some time-no matter how distant the day-somehow, in some shape, probably the last I should have devised, it came."
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              -Adoniram Judson