"I will make all my mountains a way." Isaiah 49:11
"If any man would come after ME, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow ME." Luke 9:23
Dear Praying Friends and Family,
Wow, yesterday was John Mac's 21st birthday...and it seemed like a blur. I slept later than usual and that put my whole morning later. John Mac called about 7:00 a.m. and asked me if i was still asleep. I wasn't i don't think, but it hadn't been long i was awake. I think i gathered my thoughts enough to tell him Happy Birthday. After picking up the house some to get ready for our housekeeper to come at 8:00 a.m. i settled in to have my time with the LORD. John Mac had spent the night away and had a meeting at 9:00 a.m. and was home before 10:00a.m. Yesterday was a beautiful day, and i thought i would take the "big girls," and Troy for a walk before i did anything else. I checked my phone and there were two calls from someone the LORD brought into our lives a few months ago whose marriage is falling apart. I was afraid something was wrong or wronger so i called her back. She told me the police had come that morning, kicked her door in, and ordered her and her Mom to be out of the house by that evening. She was crying and didn't know what to do. She asked if she could come over but i was thinking today is John Mac's b'day and i was planning to make him a cherry cheesecake from scratch, and i had lots of things i wanted or needed to do. I hadn't made a cheesecake in such a long time, and the night before had found my spring form pan rambling through the cabinets. John Mac eats hardly any sweets these days, and i wanted to do something i remembered him liking from the past. So when my friend called and wanted to come over i had a hard time dying to self. Surely the LORD would rather me bake him a cake than help her today? No...i was just having a hard time dying to self. The thought occurred to me later, that i could make the cherry cheesecake and her come over...the truth is, i just didn't want her to come over. I didn't know what to do either, but Johnny told her she needed to talk with her attorney about what had happened. Oh the complications...divorce is so awful and heartbreaking. No wonder GOD hates it so much when a family is ripped apart by sin. After i got off the phone with her, i felt guilty i didn't say yes to her coming over, but I spent the rest of the morning and part of the afternoon on the phone trying to find her and her Mom a place that they might could stay for a while without having to pay too much. GOD was gracious and gave me several names through our church family that might be possibilities for her. In the middle of my phone calls, I told Mrs. Kelly i was going for a walk before the day got any crazier. I hooked up all three of the dogs and away we went headed for the freedom of field. It was a beautiful morning and the fresh air and warmth of the sunshine was so soothing to my soul'
When i got back, this person called to see if she could borrow my camera. The police wanted her to take a picture of the door. I didn't really want to, but the LORD reminded me that it is HIS camera, and i was ashamed of my selfishness especially in light of what she was going through, having to leave her home and many of the possessions it contained...not to mention her husband and child she hasn't seen in two weeks. When she came by to get the camera, a man from church called me back about a place she and her Mom could stay. GOD's timing was perfect with that. I found myself surprisingly offering if i could help her move her stuff out, and she said yes. She asked if an hour and a half be okay. I said perfect and that gave me just enough time to write in John Mac's birthday card, go to the store and get what i needed for the cheesecake, and bake it. Thank you, LORD, HE made the way, when i could see no way. She never did call, and by that time, it was time to go out for John Mac's b'day. We met my in laws at Applebee's to celebrate with John Mac. I was kind of out of it till we ate supper and that perked me up. After supper, i called this person back and she was loading her stuff up and taking it to ULOCK. I asked if she still needed me to help her, and she did. I sure was wanting to write on my Friday email, but once again, GOD gave me the grace to die to self to go and help her when i had rather be doing something else. I had never been to her house before, and when i arrived my heart was melted by her two dogs. They reminded me so much of my own little dog, Troy, and i felt sorry for them that their home was being dismantled too. Her Mom was there, and she relayed to me the anger she felt when the police kicked the door in that morning. Her attorney had told them not to go to the door...it seemed like such an injustice, and i have to keep reminding my friend that GOD will bring about HIS justice in HIS time for all that is happening to her right now. My heart really began to soften and melt for these two women and their family who have become "friends," not exactly through my choosing, but by circumstances the LORD has allowed in their lives and ours to bring our paths together. There were clothes all over the place, and I began to help her and her Mom load them up in the back up my Yukon. My friend has already been through this before with another husband and said it was four years before she got her stuff back...she didn't want to risk that again. So we loaded her things up, and took them to the storage building she had rented not too far away. After we unloaded and talked a few minutes...we both returned to her house, and loaded up her car again. She decided not to take another load to the storage at that time, so i returned home. On my way out, i passed my husband pulling in with boxes for her to put her stuff in. He has really led the way in reaching out to this family. This morning, i was planning to return to help her, but she already had moved the rest of her things out, and got a motel room for her and her Mom to stay temporarily. Again, GOD made the time for me to do what i wanted to do...to write the Friday email this morning. If only i will remember these things the next time HE asks me to follow HIM...instead of worrying about my own agenda. Luke 9:23 was one of the very first Bible verses i memorized when i became a CHRISTian and I am still working on that "If any man would come after ME, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me"...my husband does that much better than i it seems.
If anyone is reading this and would be interested in ministering to my friend and her family, please let me know. She was a full time wife, and Mom, only working part time during CHRISTmas to make some extra. She has only a small income at this time, very small. Please remember this whole family as Satan is really coming against them.
Last week, i wrote about how the LORD seems to be giving me little nudges to go back to nursing school. I found out this week, i only have one prerequisite to take to get into my senior year of nursing school at UAH... Pre- Calculus. Wasn't music to my ears, but John Mac being a Math Tutor at Calhoun College may be part of GOD's grace for me to get through this class. I certainly wasn't any help to him or Hannah Beth in their high school Math...my brain just wouldn't go there back then...so this really is a mountain to me to tackle Pre Calculus. I never was the best in the world at Math and a whole lot of water has gone under the bridge the past twenty one years. John Mac has already encouraged me by showing me websites i can be studying to be prepared for the class. I'm really still considering doing it, and praying about it and seeing the LORD seeming to confirm it through many areas.
Why can i "bow the knee" for that mountain to return to school, and have such difficulty "bowing the knee," in the everyday things HE asks me surrender to...like helping someone out in need HE brings across my path, even my husband and kids, at times, bringing it closer to home. This past Monday in Bible Study, Betty Dean Newman taught out of Ephesians 5:1 and reminded us to "Be imitators of GOD...and live a life of love." I know these things in my head, and i confess i don't always live up to what i know to be true in my head. I am reminded of the good Samaritan often and how the two "religious" folks passed the man who had been beaten up and didn't stop to help him. I don't want to be like that, but i find myself making excuses often for reasons i can't take the time to just be there for this person who needs a real friend in her time of trial. I struggle and i wrestle with that in this situation and i ask you to pray for me that i would "bow the knee," and be who GOD wants me to be to this "neighbor" GOD has brought across my path, as HE brought the men and Good Samaritan across the path of the man in the Bible who had been beaten and robbed and needed a "neighbor" to help him.
Luke 10:30-37 (King James Version)
30And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
36Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
37And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
This morning, my devotion from Oswald Chamber's "My Utmost for HIS HIGHEST" really convicted me about my stubbornness and self-will.
Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? —Acts 26:14
Are you determined to have your own way in living for God? We will never be free from this trap until we are brought into the experience of the baptism of “the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11). Stubbornness and self-will will always stab Jesus Christ. It may hurt no one else, but it wounds His Spirit. Whenever we are obstinate and self-willed and set on our own ambitions, we are hurting Jesus. Every time we stand on our own rights and insist that this is what we intend to do, we are persecuting Him. Whenever we rely on self-respect, we systematically disturb and grieve His Spirit. And when we finally understand that it is Jesus we have been persecuting all this time, it is the most crushing revelation ever.
Is the Word of God tremendously penetrating and sharp in me as I hand it on to you, or does my life betray the things I profess to teach. I may teach sanctification and yet exhibit the spirit of Satan, the very spirit that persecutes Jesus Christ. The Spirit of Jesus is conscious of only one thing— a perfect oneness with the Father. And He tells us, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). All I do should be based on a perfect oneness with Him, not on a self-willed determination to be godly. This will mean that others may use me, go around me, or completely ignore me, but if I will submit to it for His sake, I will prevent Jesus Christ from being persecuted.
Indeed, there are more times than i would like to think, that "my life does indeed betray the things I profess to teach." Just ask those who know me best. I am so thankful for my SAVIOR WHO died on the CROSS to forgive me for my sins, and WHOSE grace is sufficient and HIS power is made perfect in weaknesses of which i have so many. It is my very obstinatance and self will that the HOLY SPIRIT convicts me of and sends me to the throne of JESUS asking HIM to forgive me for my hard heart.
I was very comforted in my Bible reading this week, as i read in Exodus 3:1-4:31 about GOD's calling Moses to go and lead HIS children out of Egypt. Moses had every excuse in the world why he couldn't do that...good reasons all of them, like stuttering, like who would he tell the people had sent him to deliver them. The LORD had answers for all Moses questions. I have been questioning the LORD a lot lately, if HE really wants me go back to school, and work with patients like me? I have a bunch of weaknesses, and just not sure the LORD has the right person for the job...weaknesses like scatterbrained, not a detailed person, don't know enough, not good with business matters, etc. etc. Seems like every argument i throw up, HE has something to counter with...something like "My grace is sufficient for you, for MY power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore i will gladly boast about my weaknesses, that the power of CHRIST may rest upon me." II Cor. 12:9.I was comforted reading about Moses and his reluctance to follow when GOD called him.
In choir practice Wednesday night, we sang a beautiful song, called "Lead Me, LORD, "http://www.youtube.com/
I would ask you to please continue to pray for me, as i think and pray about returning to school. Please continuing praying for John Mac as he is studying for the MCAT and preparing himself to take the test in the spring. Every night and throughout the day, he is upstairs studying or on his bed, or at work studying, studying, studying. Pray for Hannah Beth as she has begun taking some of her nursing classes this semester. She is really enjoying Microbiology. She won't officially start nursing school til the fall. Please pray for Dad as he works hard and trusts the LORD to provide for all of the ways GOD is leading in our family. We want to follow HIS leading...though it be reluctantly at times, "I will follow...I will go. YOU have called me I will answer. Lead me, LORD I will go."
"Lead Me, LORD"
by Wayne and Elizabeth Goodine
"It's hard to take the first step when i don't know the way.
Each turn is so uncertain, I learn to walk by faith
But you gave me a promise that YOU would never leave;
YOU will lead and guide me, LORD I do believe.
Chorus:
Lead me, LORD, I will follow.
Lead me, LORD, I will go.
YOU have called me, I will answer. Lead me, LORD, I will go.
YOUR plans for me are perfect, I never need to fear.
For though at times I feel alone, I know that YOU are near.
My heart just longs to follow, I'm willing to obey.
Take my hand and lead me, I'll follow all the way.
As i close, i wanted to give you an update on Taranda Greene, Tony's wife. She is following the LORD as HE leads her through some very dark days...but opens the way up for her step by step. The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, which sings "Lead Me, LORD," and it was arranged by the pastor's wife, Cynthia Cymbala, has adopted Taranda as their own. Pastor Cymbala, pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle spoke at Tony's "Celebration" service back in Sept. Taranda sings with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir several times throughout the year. I received an email from Taranda earlier this week, written to all of her friends and fans, catching us up on what the LORD is doing in her life as well as John Jeffrey's and Jeff Snyder who also sang with the Greenes. You can read that by clicking on
I am so thankful for what the LORD is doing in and through her precious life since Tony's homegoing to be with JESUS. She is so real and transparent...i hope you will take time to read her newsletter, sign up for it, and become a prayer warrior for her and her two precious girls...Bella 6, and Josie, 2. Also, please pray for Taranda's parents who are helping take care of the girls now that Taranda has moved back in with them.
Please remember our Women's Conference coming up March 25th and 26th. I hope and pray that you will make plans to attend, and bring someone with you. You will be hearing more about it as the weeks progress. If you can't come, please pray for all that GOD wants to do in the midst of the lives of those who will be a part of this great weekend. You are so kind to remember these dear loved ones including our family in your prayers. Thank you so very much.
You know, we haven't touched John Mac's cheesecake yet. In the midst of yesterday's circumstances, engineered by GOD, it just hasn't happened yet...probably tomorrow, since John Mac's gone for the rest of the day today. The LORD knew i had plenty of time to make his cake...if only i would follow HIM and not dig in my heels like "Troy" does when i take him out to use the bathroom, and want to come in before he's through. He digs in those front feet and lets me know he doesn't want to follow me inside the house. I can be like that too. I love you and hope i haven't forgotten anything important...i still feel a little tired, like i didn't get quiet enough sleep last night. GOD bless you and thank you again for taking time to read the "Friday email." I am so honored that you would take the time to do that.
With all HIS love,
mitzi
"Men ought always to pray and not to faint."
-Luke 18:1
"Delays are not refusals; many a prayer is registered, and underneath it the words: "My time is not yet come." GOD has a set time as well as a set purpose, and HE who orders the bounds of our habitation orders also the time of our deliverance."
-Streams in the Desert, Jan. 24
LORD, Prepare me to be a Sanctuary
"Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God." ~ Martin Luther
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