GOD's Willing Heart

 "Now a leper came to HIM, imploring HIM, kneeling down to HIM and saying to HIM, "If YOU are willing, YOU can make me clean."  Then JESUS moved with compassion, stretched out HIS hand and said to him, "I am willing, be cleansed." As soon as HE spoke immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed." Mark 1:40-42

Dear Praying Friends and Family,

    Thank you so much for your prayers for my friend Shirley, and her daughter, Mishel and family.  I went by to see Shirley yesterday, and was so blessed by the love of her family surrounding her.  Todd, Mishel's husband is here from Nebraska to be with his bride and help her in any way that he can.  Mishel's friend, Beth,  is here from Virginia, taking time away from her husband and six children, being a help and strength to Mishel as she helps her Mom.  When i went into Shirley's room, Beth,  was holding Shirley's hand and talking with her in soothing tones.  Mishel was doing all she could to make her Mom comfortable, adjusting her covers, giving her pain meds and turning her on her side.  Her Mom was always petite, and is more so now, but I was surprised when Mishel picked her up in her arms and turned her over as she adjusted her to a more comfortable position.  We all had prayer together, and sat and talked and laughed together a few minutes, reminiscing about some old times, til the homehealth care nurse came..and I quietly excused myself to go.

      Mishel has cared so faithfully for her Mom day in and day out for the past couple of months.  Mishel took off work and came and took her Mom to radiation treatments and cared for her Mom.    A week after Mishel got married, she was on the plane to come and care for her Mom and has been here for a couple of months now, putting her life in Nebraska on hold to take care of her little Momma, Shirley.  Mishel's family has been so great flying in and driving from Colorado and Nebraska to be with their Mom and wife, and "Grammy" as they call Shirley, on the weekends as they can.  GOD has really blessed in giving Mishel's son a job at the Denver Airport so they could fly back and forth, for the most part at no charge... GOD is so good to provide that job for Zach during this time of their lives.  HE has provided so many things for Mishel, including a new husband, after her world fell apart a couple of years ago, to love her and care for her and support her during this time while she's been caring for her Mom.  HE's also provided  an understanding boss for Mishel at work to keep her job for her when she returns.  So many blessings...so much grace of the LORD.     I have been so blessed to watch this family love and care for their Mom and Grammy...and know that GOD is honored and lifted up in their sorrow and suffering.  Please continue to remember my friend Shirley, her daughter Mishel, and their family in your prayers in the coming days.  Thank you so much...

    Last Saturday morning, after I had sent out the Friday email about "A Willing Heart," I was having my time with JESUS on my little couch in our "JOY" room (i got the idea from Barbara Johnson, i think, who had a "Joy" room in her home).  The thought came to me, GOD has "A Willing Heart."   We get our willing hearts from  HIM. I thought, why didn't i think of that the day before?  GOD knows HIS reasons to give me the thoughts HE does at just the right time.   HE knew last Friday's email couldn't hold the thoughts HE's shared with me this week about our FATHER's Willing and loving heart towards HIS children.  Guess what?  This Friday's email can't hold all the thoughts and Scriptures HE's shown me either.  Don't worry, i'm not planning to write it all:)...I can't.   HE continues to show me now every time I open the Scriptures how very willing HIS heart is towards us...in fact, "exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think."   As I was thinking about that thought, the HOLY SPIRIT brought the verse  to my mind..."Lord, if you are willing."    I didn't take time to look it up, and didn't know exactly where it was, but started reading my Daily Bible reading.  Would you believe, that exact passage, was in my Scripture reading for that morning? 

      "Now a leper came to HIM, imploring HIM, kneeling down to HIM and saying to HIM, "If YOU are willing, YOU can make me clean."  Then JESUS moved with compassion, stretched out HIS hand and said to him, "I am willing, be cleansed." As soon as HE spoke immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed." Mark 1:40-42

     

    As I continued to reflect on that Scripture and that GOD has a Willing Heart to heal us and cleanse us from all our sin and do the impossible in our lives and loved ones ...the verse from II Peter 3:9 came to me:

"The Lord is not slack concerning HIS promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing

 that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

      Then immediately after that GOD brought the verse to my mind from John 3:16 that shows all of us how very much GOD wills for us not to perish:

     "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."

    As I sit here and reflect on what GOD has been teaching me this week, i am reminded that the whole Bible, is about GOD's willing  heart towards us to save us from the destruction of sin that came into the world through Adam and Eve's disobedience.  That is the bottom line, chapter after chapter, verse after verse in the Bible is about GOD's willing heart to save us from eternal punishment for our sins. Words from Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, this morning, and GOD's WORD, remind us of The Coming Wrath for all those who aren't in CHRIST JESUS and why GOD wills to save us....HE loves us so very much and paid the price for our redemption.

The Coming Wrath
"The wrath to come."
--Matthew 3:7
It is pleasant to pass over a country after a storm has spent itself; to smell the freshness of the herbs after the rain has passed away, and to note the drops while they glisten like purest diamonds in the sunlight. That is the position of a Christian. He is going through a land where the storm has spent itself upon His Saviour's head, and if there be a few drops of sorrow falling, they distil from clouds of mercy, and Jesus cheers him by the assurance that they are not for his destruction. But how terrible is it to witness the approach of a tempest: to note the forewarnings of the storm; to mark the birds of heaven as they droop their wings; to see the cattle as they lay their heads low in terror; to discern the face of the sky as it groweth black, and look to the sun which shineth not, and the heavens which are angry and frowning!
How terrible to await the dread advance of a hurricane--such as occurs, sometimes, in the tropics--to wait in terrible apprehension till the wind shall rush forth in fury, tearing up trees from their roots, forcing rocks from their pedestals, and hurling down all the dwelling-places of man! And yet, sinner, this is your present position. No hot drops have as yet fallen, but a shower of fire is coming. No terrible winds howl around you, but God's tempest is gathering its dread artillery. As yet the water-floods are dammed up by mercy, but the flood-gates shall soon be opened: the thunderbolts of God are yet in His storehouse, but lo! the tempest hastens, and how awful shall that moment be when God, robed in vengeance, shall march forth in fury! Where, where, where, O sinner, wilt thou hide thy head, or whither wilt thou flee? O that the hand of mercy may now lead you to Christ! He is freely set before you in the gospel: His riven side is the rock of shelter. Thou knowest thy need of Him; believe in Him, cast thyself upon Him, and then the fury shall be overpast for ever.

    HIS willing heart desires us, longs for us to be set free from the bondage of our sins here on earth and to flee THE WRATH to COME.   HIS willing heart longs for us to enjoy HIS fellowship forever and ever where we are going to rule and reign with HIM on the new earth HE establishes when HE returns with HIS bride, the church.

     I was reading some verses today that mean the world to me...they are verses that I pray often for those I love who don't CHRIST as their LORD and SAVIOR.  

 "I will give you a new heart and put a new Spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." Ezekiel 36:26-27

    As i sat on my couch looking at the index card with those verses written on it I thought:

Purchased:

  A heart transplant to remove stone heart and replace with heart of flesh

  A new Spirit to move us to follow HIS decrees and keep HIS laws

Total cost to us: Free Gift

Total cost to GOD:  The life and blood of HIS precious sinless SON, JESUS CHRIST

Made Alive in Christ

1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature^a and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." 

    "Because of HIS great love for us..." 

       Because of GOD's great willing heart, HE gave HIS SON that we might be made ALIVE with CHRIST, no longer dead in our transgressions and sins. Being made ALIVE with CHRIST, came at an unbelievable high cost.   I read a passage in Leviticus yesterday that reminds us that without the shedding of blood there is no atonement for sin:

     "For the life of the flesh of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls:  for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul."

     The sacrifices in the Old Testament were a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of the perfect LAMB of GOD WHO would make atonement for our sins once and for all:

Hebrews 10:1-23

Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All

 ¹ The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. ² Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. ³ But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. ⁴ It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

 ⁵ Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:

   “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, 
   but a body you prepared for me; 
⁶ with burnt offerings and sin offerings 
   you were not pleased. 
⁷ Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— 
   I have come to do your will, my God.’”^[a]

 ⁸ First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. ⁹ Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. ¹⁰ And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

 ¹¹ Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. ¹² But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God, ¹³ and since that time He waits for his enemies to be made His footstool. ¹⁴ For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

 ¹⁵ The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:

 ¹⁶ “This is the covenant I will make with them 
   after that time, says the Lord. 
I will put my laws in their hearts,
   and I will write them on their minds.”^[b]

 ¹⁷ Then he adds:

   “Their sins and lawless acts
   I will remember no more.”^[c]

 ¹⁸ And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

A Call to Persevere in Faith

 ¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, ²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

   "I stand, i stand in awe of YOU, I stand, I stand in awe of YOU...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0Qx1e33Ook&feature=related ..."  As I write these words flood my soul, of GOD's willing heart towards us and how very much HE loves you and me to give HIS ONE and ONLY perfect, sinless SON to make us ALIVE with CHRIST.   It is not HIS will that any should perish, but all will WHO have not repented of their sins, and trusted in the blood of JESUS CHRIST to save them from their sins.

    JESUS told Nicodemus, the Pharisee who came to HIM by night:  "Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of GOD." John 3:3.  Family and friends, have you been born again?  Do you have "a new heart of flesh and a new spirit, the HOLY SPIRIT, that moves you to obey HIS decrees and laws?"  GOD is willing for you too, so much that HE gave HIS SON for you. HE has already paid the price, HE offers you the free gift as you come to HIM with a childlike faith and repent of your sins.     

    I also stand in awe at how GOD led me to write this week's email.  I haven't even begun to scratch the surface of the verses HE showed me about HIS willing heart towards us in every area that we can imagine.  As you have your daily quiet time with the LORD, ask HIM to show you HIS willing heart, show you the passages that contain the word "will" and you will be amazed at the passages that reveal GOD's will...they are too numerous to share because that is what the whole Bible is about...GOD's willing heart towards us!  HE loves us so very much.

     As i close, the LORD laid a beautiful song on my heart this week.  Earlier this week, as i realized that my friend Shirley was getting closer to going home to be with JESUS, I began playing this song on you tube by Chris Tomlin,  Louie Giglio,  Matt Maher;   and Jessie Reeves "I Will Rise." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf7t3P9ISrE&feature=related The LORD really began ministering to my heart through this song, and turned my sadness into joy as i thought about Shirley's body that is "outwardly wasting away," will soon rise as HE calls her name.  Because of what CHRIST has done on the cross of Calvary, and risen from the dead, JESUS has overcome death.

Jesus has overcome 

And the grave is overwhelmed 

The victory is won 

He is risen from the dead 

     Shirley  won't wrestle with that "tent" anymore, because she has trusted in the LORD JESUS as her SAVIOR.  Shirley, along with all who have accepted GOD's gift of HIS SON, will have a new body one day, a glorified body with "no more sorrow, no more pain."    GOD's willing heart, is for all of us to receive HIM as our LORD and SAVIOR..". and to be with HIM forever and ever.  "It is not HIS will that any should perish."   

    You have honored me and blessed me by spending this time with me...thank you so much.  Thank you for remembering Shirley and her family in your prayers.  JESUS loves you so much,and I do too...

                                                        With all HIS love,

                                                                                  mitzi         

                                                                                

                                                                        "I Will Rise"   

There's a peace I've come to know 
Though my heart and flesh may fail 
There's an anchor for my soul 
I can say "It is well" 

Jesus has overcome 
And the grave is overwhelmed 
The victory is won 
He is risen from the dead 

[Chorus:] 
And I will rise when He calls my name 
No more sorrow, no more pain 
I will rise on eagles' wings 
Before my God fall on my knees 
And rise 
I will rise 

There's a day that's drawing near 
When this darkness breaks to light 
And the shadows disappear 
And my faith shall be my eyes 

Jesus has overcome 
And the grave is overwhelmed 
The victory is won 
He is risen from the dead 

[Chorus:] 
And I will rise when He calls my name 
No more sorrow, no more pain 
I will rise on eagles' wings 
Before my God fall on my knees 
And rise 
I will rise 

And I hear the voice of many angels sing, 
"Worthy is the Lamb" 
And I hear the cry of every longing heart, 
"Worthy is the Lamb" 
[x2]

[Chorus:] 
And I will rise when He calls my name 
No more sorrow, no more pain 
I will rise on eagles' wings 
Before my God fall on my knees 
And rise 
I will rise

   

     "There is any man be in CHRIST, he is a new creature:  old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." II Cor. 5:17

"Our LORD's confidence in GOD and what HIS grace could do for any man, was so perfect that HE despaired of no one." Oswald Chambers    

--

 

""Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience." Hebrews 10:22

"The purity which GOD demands is impossible unless I can be remade within, and that is what JESUS has undertaken to do by HIS Redemption." Oswald Chambers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa8w7mGug0c

"I Will Rise" Chris Tomlin

"The great thing about faith in God is that it keeps a man undisturbed in the midst of disturbance." 

Oswald Chambers 

-- 

A Willing Heart

"Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as an offering to the LORD...all who are gifted artisans among you shall come and make all that the LORD has commanded:  the tabernacle, its tent, its covering, its clasps, its boards...Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the LORD's offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments. They came, both men and women, as many as had willing heart..." Ex. 35:5,10,21,22

   "For it is GOD WHO is at work in you, both to will and to work for HIS good pleasure." Phil 2:13

Dear Praying Friends and Family,

     I hope each one of you had a very Happy Valentine's Day!  Somehow we managed to loose three Valentine's Day Card's around here, and gradually have found two of the three.  I'm sending Hannah Beth's off to her today:).  We had a great Valentine's Day, in spite of the lost cards, as Johnny was off that day.   I was able to meet Johnny and his Daddy for lunch on the square at LuVici's, http://www.luvicis.com/ after our Willing Hearts Bible Study Monday morning, led by Betty Dean Newman.  That night we enjoyed a romantic dinner at Earthfare  http://www.earthfare.com/:).  Well, maybe not so romantic with John Mac joining us, and as soon as he left, Hannah Beth called:).  That's okay, it was great to be with our kids on Valentine's and each other...and i was thrilled to get to go grocery shopping there and eat a healthy meal away from home with my family. That was a great Valentine's Day for me!

       Earlier this week as i was reading my daily Bible reading, i came upon the passage from Exodus 3 about GOD using the Israelites to build the tabernacle, the place where HIS holy presence would dwell and the priest would come and make sacrifices for the sins of the people.  The tabernacle was a "shadow," of when CHRIST would come and be our HOLY PRIEST, and sacrifice HIMSELF as the HOLY LAMB of GOD,  to pay for our sins once and for all.  There are so many pictures of WHO CHRIST is in the different aspects of the tabernacle, it is fascinating to study.  But what caught my attention this day as i read was the term, willing heart, and how GOD stirred the Israelites hearts to accomplish HIS plans and purposes to build the tabernacle to worship HIM. 

    As i already mentioned, the name of our Bible Study group is "Willing Hearts " and the younger ladies are called "Growing Hearts."  Sadie Roberts, a dear godly woman in our church who has now gone on to be with the LORD JESUS, named the Bible Study when it was only a handful of women meeting in homes. I am curious if this passage in the Bible is where the name comes from for our Bible Study group.   GOD has grown the Bible Study to be a large group of 30-50  middle age and older women, and a growing group of the younger women that meet on Monday mornings.  Last year, GOD used the Women's Conference and the Willing Hearts ladies to touch me with HIS love and gradually draw our family to First Baptist.  This year, the  Willing Hearts are busily preparing for the their third Women's Conference.  "For the Joy" is the theme this year with guest speaker, Linda Evans Shepherd.  I hope that you will make your plans to be a part of this very special conference that the LORD is orchestrating and empowering through the "Willing Hearts" at First Baptist Church. 

      It is my joy and privilege that GOD has drawn me with HIS lovingkindness and stirred my heart to be a part of this very special group of women in our church.   It is such a blessing to see them serving and working in the areas that GOD has gifted each one of them...whether it's Dr. Betty Dean, who is such a gifted teacher of the WORD and has served the LORD many years in the public school system at all levels, including teaching college, and is now over the reading program for the whole state of Alabama. Betty Dean has suffered from MS for many years, and her husband from cancer.  GOD has used these trials in their lives to equip them with "willing hearts," to serve HIM.  We get to hear lots of stories in Bible Study about how GOD has used cancer to be a "sweet journey," in Betty Dean and Julian's life. What an inspiration they are to us.   Jackie Jackson,  is heading up the Food Committee and working with Ginny Chandler and others in our church family who have been catering delicious food for years.   Jan Morris  is heading up the advertising for the Conference.  With her loving and outgoing personality, she is the perfect person in charge of outreach and advertising for the Conference.  Susan Hofacker is in charge of Ticket Sales, which would be an absolute nightmare to me to have to keep tract of all the money for that, Bonnie Teal is in charge of Accomodations for our Speaker, and out of town guests.  Bonnie, our Minister of Education's wife, makes everyone feel WELCOME as she goes around greeting folks on Sunday morning, so she is perfect for sharing her gift of hospitality through this role.  Marie Rich is in charge of decorating the sanctuary...another nightmare job for me, but just looking at Marie, you can tell she is creative and she looks forward to using her gifts to decorating for the conference, along with Ginger Medlin who is in charge of decorating the Family Life Center where the delicious lunch will be served by the men on Saturday, and door prizes will be given away.  Jane Lusk is in charge of those door prizes and she isn't taking her job lightly.  She asked us to pray for each gift she selects, that they would be a reminder to each one who receives them of what GOD is doing at our church, and a rememberance of the conference.  Other "Willing Hearts"  will be those who decorate the tables for lunch...another nightmare job, or highly stressful to me, but not to those who are gifted by GOD to do that.  I hear the ladies talking about decorating their tables...one lady is planning to decorate the table with an Auburn theme.  That brought out the flesh in Betty Dean:)...just kidding, and she may decorate a table decorating in the theme of the Crimson Tide!  Lookout now, we may have a rivalry right there at the Women's Conference!   The tables are such a highlight of the conference...you need to come just to see those...we have some very, very gifted women in that area, and unfortunately that is not one of my gifts:).  I'm glad it's somebody's gift  and apparently a lot of women's...i guess i got playing the drums or kayaking or something instead of some of those normal women gifts:).    Joan Jenkins, our pastor's wife, is heading up the Hostess committee.   She too, like Bonnie Teal, is always reaching out and making you feel welcome.  She will be in charge of getting greeters to share the love of CHRIST with those the LORD brings to the Conference. Betty Batts, is chairing up the servers committee, with her "Willing Heart," Joan Orman, who was a school teacher extraordinaire for years is in charge of the Book Sales.  Linda Hicks and her committee will be working on the Welcome Bags for each lady the LORD brings to make them feel loved and special.  Candy Tomerlin, bless her heart, is chairperson over the bathrooms.  Not sure what her "skills," are for that, hey i need them to keep my bathrooms clean at home:), but i'm sure a "Willing Heart," is very needed...the bathrooms are crucial, especially at a Women's Conference!  Diane Synder, a very loving and caring and thoughtful nurse is in charge of getting the gift for our speaker, and she will do a great job of that.  Diane is in charge of our Praying Mom's college ministry and she sends out hundreds of cards each year to our college and career students and organizes that ministry and prays for them.  Some of our "Growing Hearts,"  women are also helping in many ways, and i think one of those is through the music.  I'm looking forward to hearing these gifted women use their talents for the LORD to sing for HIM and lead us in worship.  GOD has also raised up a dear, vivacious gal with a beautiful voice from New Life Assembly of GOD, here in Athens i believe, to come and lead us in worshipping HIM in song.   Last, but certainly not least is the Prayer committee.  Janet Dees is heading that up, and under her submissive willing heart, she is doing a great job encouraging us  to pray for all that GOD wants to do in our lives and through the lives of those HE brings to the conference.  

     GOD is at work in the lives of the women at First Baptist, to will and to work for HIS good pleasure. This is HIS conference, HIS doings, HIS plans and purposes to be accomplished to encourage, nurture, bring other women to know HIM, and glorify HIMself through all that goes in through the willing hearts and others that HE has prepared and gifted to perform HIS will.  

     Not only is GOD at work in the lives of the women and women and children at First Baptist,  but HE is at work in your life and my life.  GOD has equipped you and me with the unique gifts that HE selected for us before we were thought about by anyone in this world.  But HE thought about us and HE loves us and created us to do HIS good works:

     "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of GOD-not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are GOD's workmanship, created in CHRIST JESUS to do good works, which GOD prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:9-10

     Sometimes, when GOD is equipping us to do the good works HE has prepared in advance for us to do, we may not recognize HIS ways and may not appreciate what GOD is doing to equip us to do HIS good works.  Charles Spurgeon wrote about that this morning in Morning and Evening:

     

        

Job 10:2 

Shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.

Perhaps, O tried soul, the Lord is doing this to develop thy graces. There are some of thy graces which would never be discovered if it were not for thy trials. Dost thou not know that thy faith never looks so grand in summer weather as it does in winter? Love is too often like a glow-worm, showing but little light except it be in the midst of surrounding darkness. Hope itself is like a star-not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity. Afflictions are often the black foils in which God doth set the jewels of His children's graces, to make them shine the better. It was but a little while ago that on thy knees thou wast saying, "Lord, I fear I have no faith: let me know that I have faith." Was not this really, though perhaps unconsciously, praying for trials?-for how canst thou know that thou hast faith until thy faith is exercised? Depend upon it, God often sends us trials that our graces may be discovered, and that we may be certified of their existence. Besides, it is not merely discovery, real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials. God often takes away our comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains His soldiers, not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and using them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers, and climb mountains, and walk many a long mile with heavy knapsacks of sorrow on their backs. Well, Christian, may not this account for the troubles through which thou art passing? Is not the Lord bringing out your graces, and making them grow? Is not this the reason why He is contending with you?

     "Trials make the promise sweet;

  Trials give new life to prayer;

Trials bring me to His feet,

        Lay me low, and keep me there."

      I have often mentioned in these writings how GOD allowed the brilliant doctors who have helped me so much in my health struggles to go through similar struggles. that i have.  Their education in school and in the school of suffering has served  to equip them and give them "willing hearts,"  to be able to help folks like me who have been poisoned by toxins in our environment.  By the time i was 27, my health was broken, and i was virtually bedridden, though i couldn't lay in bed long because it was uncomfortable for me.  I stayed on the floor most of the time.  Yesterday, as i was talking with my doctor, Dr. Katherine Henry in Richardson, Texas, once again, i just stood in awe at the knowledge she has of the human body and how things work in it.  Her knowledge of molecules and chemistry is beyond my ability to comprehend.  Her understanding of the body, food, supplements to detoxify our body, nutritional supplements to build our bodies up, medicine, and what tests to use to diagnose difficult issues has helped patients all over the world to restore their health when other doctors were baffled.   She is a "champion," and a master that GOD has equipped for just the role she plays to bring healing to patients all over the world.  I am so blessed to be under her care.  I realize that her "equipping" came at a great price to be the skilled physician that she is...not just in "school," and experience, but the difficult health issues that she too has suffered through as a result of pesticides, and other chemicals damaging her health. 

     As i continue to feel that GOD is leading me to do something with the "equipping" HE has given me through my nursing education, my illness, the expert physicians HE has allowed me to learn from, i wrestle with  having a "willing heart," to go back to school and knowing that I could never do what my doctors do to help others...they are "champions," yet, I am a "dwarf" in my knowledge compared to Dr. Katherine Henry, or Dr. Sherry Rogers, or Dr. William Rea.  However, GOD reminded me yesterday that HE uses the "dwarfs" as well as the giants, and feeble folks as well as champions." 

               "It is one of the lovely things about the MASTER we serve, that HE is so willing to use in HIS service dwarves as well as giants, and feeble folks as well as champions." Hannah Hurnard, Wayfarer in the Land, p.8

     "Are you called to help others?  Do it with all the strength and energy that GOD supplies, so that GOD will be glorified." 1 Peter 4;11

    That quote really comforted me when i read that on my "Hinds Feet on High Places," calendar yesterday...and I am forever reminded that "MY grace is sufficient for you for MY power is made perfect in weakness.  Therefore I will gladly boast in my weaknesses that the power of CHRIST may rest upon me." II Cor. 12:9-10.  

    I sure would appreciate you continuing to pray for me on this journey.  I applied to UAH this week, and i'm about to apply to the nursing program.  It will be May before i hear if i'm accepted into it or not...so we'll go from there.  You know, i don't know if i'm supposed to go back to school or not, but i'm just trying to surrender, and have a willing heart, to be obedient to one step at a time to what seems to be GOD guiding me this way.  I want to be obedient to HIM and know HIM in HIS fullness, and if this is part of the plan for my life..and for the lives of others,"Speak, O LORD," to my heart.  Help me to have a "willing heart," and continue to lead and guide me in the path YOU have prepared for me.

     "It is the will to obey ME which makes the union complete between us and which enables ME to pour MY life and power into those who love ME and respond to ME continually."

     "I desire to do your will, O my GOD; YOUR law is within my heart." Psalm 40:8

    Wednesday night we sang a song in choir practice that has been gripping my heart more and more each time we sing it.  Rhonda Roberts, whose husband Al is suffering with a brain tumor," sings a solo so beautifully on this song, and then the choir joins in.  Please remember Rhonda and Al and their family in your prayers during this difficult time in their lives.  The song is called "Speak O LORD," by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend. May the words of this song, be a reflection of my  willing heart and your willing heart as we seek to glorify our LORD JESUS CHRIST in all that we are and do for HIS purposes and HIS glory. 

Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of Your Holy Word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
All Your purposes for Your glory.

Teach us, Lord, full obedience,
Holy reverence, true humility;
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
In the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith to rise; cause our eyes to see
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of pow'r that can never fail—
Let their truth prevail over unbelief.

Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us—
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
That will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we'll stand on Your promises,
And by faith we'll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGg40zKRvAg&feature=related  "Speak O LORD"

     I hope and pray that you will make your plans to be a part of "For the Joy," Women's Conference, March 25-26.  What a privilege to be a part of what GOD is doing  in the midst of HIS body of believers and willing hearts at First Baptist.  We want you to be a part of what HE is doing  as HE accomplishes HIS plans and purposes through us.   

                                                                                                                           "Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built

And the earth is filled with Your glory." 

                                

                                                                                                                                   With all HIS love,

                                                                                                                                      mitzi                                              

                                                             

For the Joy

Women’s Conference

First Baptist Church   

           201 E. Hobbs St.                                  Athens, AL 35611

Linda Evans Shepherd

Nationally known Christian speaker

& best-selling author

(When You Can't Find God - How to Ignite the Power of His Presence, When You Don’t Know What to Pray-How to Talk to God about Anything, Pot Luck Club,)

March 25-26, 2011

Friday 6:30-8:00 p.m. (Doors open at 6:00 p.m.)

     Saturday 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (Doors open at 8:30 a.m.)

$25.00 (lunch included)

Contact Jackie Jackson 256-232-7829                       jackiejackson12@gmail.com

(childcare not provided)

For the Joy

Women’s Conference Mar 25-26, 2011

First Baptist Church

201 East Hobbs Street

Athens, AL  35611

Special Conference Rates @ Local Hotels

Hampton Inn & Suites        Phone:  256-232-2377     Fax:    256-232-0498

Conference Rate:  $ 99.00 per night + tax  (2 per room)

                            $104.00 per night + tax  (3 per room)

                           $109.00 per night + tax  (4 per room)

Complimentary Hot Breakfast

Indoor Pool

Reservations must be made by March 1, 2011 to receive this rate

Rooms can be booked on line with Hampton Inns & Suites using Rate Code AWC

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Holiday Inn Express & Suites    Phone: 256-232-7931    Fax:  256-232-0357

Conference Rate:  $99.00 per night + tax

Complimentary Hot Breakfast

Indoor Pool

Reservations must be made by March 4, 2011 to receive this rate

Sleep Inn             Phone:  256-232-4700          Fax:  256-232-4222

Conference Rate:  $50.00 per night + tax

Complimentary Hot Breakfast

Reservations must be made by March 4, 2011 to receive this rate

                                                                                                                                           With all HIS love,

                                                                                                                                              mitzi--

 

"The LORD thy GOD in the midst of thee is mighty; HE will save, HE will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in HIS love, HE will joy over thee with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

"HE 'will do marvels' if you will learn the mystery of HIS silence, and praise HIM, for everytime HE withdraws HIS gifts that you may better know and love the GIVER."

              -Streams in the Desert, Feb. 9

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox_-AvcoJLk&feature=related

"Seekers of Your Heart"

--