"For the Joy" Women's Conference Tonight at First Baptist, Athens!

"The joy of the LORD is my strength." Nehemiah 8:10

    Dear Praying Friends and Family,

                I had a little bit different Friday email planned, but felt this morning the LORD wanted me to specifically focus on the Women's Conference which begins tonight at 6:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Athens...so here is the revised version!

                

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

        Tonight begins our Women's Conference at First Baptist Athens and if you still haven't made up your mind, I am inviting you to Come!!! It's not too late!  Tickets are still available at the doors opening at 6:00p.m. and you will be so blessed!   The "Willing Hearts," and "Growing Hearts," ladies had such a sweet time in the LORD in fellowship last night as we were blessed to eat with our guest speaker, Linda Evans Shepherd.  Linda arrived safely from Colorada, yesterday afternoon, although part of suitcases hadn't arrived as of last night...please pray they will today.  Thankfully, she has her Bible and notes and computer and clothes...her books were in the other suitcases.  Linda, a Texas native, shared just a little with us last night at our question and answer time and it was enough to make us hunger and thirst for what GOD has in store for the rest of the weekend.   Linda has a daughter in her 20's who was in a car wreck i believe when she was a child.  Her daughter was in a coma for a year, and has been on life support since that time.  Much of what GOD has taught Linda has been through her family's journey with her daughter and you will be so blessed to hear her story, and the relationship with CHRIST that has come from the circumstances GOD has allowed in their lives...not for evil but for good. 

       Kathleen Frainerd of New Life Assembly of GOD  is leading the music for the conference, along with our young women, "Cornerstone,"  Kathleen  sang "GREAT is the FAITHfulness," last night, preparing our hearts for a wonderful weekend of worship of our faithful GOD.  GOD has put it in the hearts of our ladies for months to be praying and preparing for this special weekend and you don't want to miss GOD's power and presence in our midst if you can possibly make it.  Last year, i was planning to be in Mobile during this conference, and planning to go to another Ladies Retreat when i returned from Mobile.  GOD had other plans. I was so irritable from an allergic reaction my husband made me stay home from Mobile, and Betty Dean Newman reached out to me through FB when she saw i didn't get to go to Mobile and said, "Now you can come to our Conference and I will have you at ticket at the information desk..." She did and I am amazed at all the ways the LORD worked in my life during that conference to show HIS intimate love to me during the Conference and throughout this year.

        GOD used the conference to eventually draw us back to First Baptist where we have been members there before on two different occasions.  I thank the LORD for HIS intimate love for each and every one of us, and the plans that HE has to use us in the body of CHRIST where ever that is to bring HIM the most glory.  I never dreamed i would be HIS cymbal player at First Baptist, but i am loving it!  I am loving playing the triangle for HIM and the conga's, and the shaker's and snare drum, and filling in on the trap set when HE has need of me.  I am loving singing in the choir, when I'm not playing in the orchestra, and getting to share some of the knowledge GOD has taught me on my health journey with some of the members at First Baptist.  I am loving being a part of the Willing Hearts Bible Study and getting to be a part of the Women's Conference that meant so much to me last year.  GOD knew the plans HE had for us when HE began drawing our hearts back to First Baptist.  It sure wasn't anything we could see...it was a walk of faith, as we followed HIM where we felt HE was leading us.  I love the song we sing in choir, "Lead Me, LORD."  It is so true of our journey back to First Baptist and all the paths that GOD's guides us on...sure am trusting HIM for that journey about going back to nursing school.  I can't see the end result of that, all I know that GOD seems to be leading me to do this impossible thing for me  and I want my heart to be as this song says, 

       "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."

                                                     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wMt4XrV51Q "Lead Me, LORD," Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

    I am so thankful for the women who reached out to me last year and invited me to the Conference...Judy Clemons, Jan Morris, and Betty Dean Newman, several times...all the while i was thinking, "no thanks i've got other plans":).  GOD had other plans for me, plans that i could not have imagined or thought about and I am so thankful.   If the LORD is leading you to come to the Conference tonight!  Come!!!  I have been so blessed to hear from some of you this morning, and yesterday who are making plans to be there.  I know the LORD wants to reveal HIS sweet and intimate love and encouragement to each one of our hearts.  If you can't come, please pray for all that GOD is doing in the lives of the women who will be there...pray for salvation for those who don't know CHRIST and encouragement for those who come with the burdens and cares of the world, pray for all to draw nearer to the LORD JESUS CHRIST and hunger and thirst for a personal and intimate relationship with the LOVER of our Souls." 

     "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

                                                 "Salvation is easy because it costs GOD so much."   Oswald Chambers

     Special thanks to Tanjie Nash, http://tanjienashphotography.com/ ,for the beautiful picture of one of the "tablescapes."  Different women in the church have volunteered to decorate the tables for tomorrow's lunch that is being prepared by Jenny Chandler, Jackie Jackson, and others.  Jenny was in the catering business for years, and you'd better believe the lunch is going to be scrumptious!  It was last year...you will be served by the men in our church at beautifully decorated tables like the one you see in the picture...and I mean they are amazing the way the LORD has gifted the different ladies to display their china and whatever way they felt led to decorate...we even have an Auburn table and probably an Alabama one i think...i'm pretty sure Betty Dean wasn't going to let there be an Auburn table without and Alabama table!  So, ya'll come if you can, bring your daughter, a friend, your Mom, and let's have a wonderful time of worshipping the LORD together this weekend!

                                                                                                                                                                              With all HIS love,

                                                                                                                                                                                 mitzi

"The thing you think is a cruel injustice may actually turn out to be the best thing that ever happened  to you.  It can at least-by the FATHER's all wise grace-be transformed for your good, for HIS glory, and for the advance of HIS eternal kingdom." Nancy Leigh DeMoss,www.reviveourhearts.com

    "We know that for those who love GOD all things work together for good, for those who are called according to HIS purpose." Romans 8:28

" For CHRIST also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that HE might bring us to GOD." I Peter 3:18

          "The Cross of CHRIST is a triumph.  Every human being can get into the presence of GOD now because of what the Son of Man went through." Oswald Chambers http://www.christ.com/devotional-oswaldchambers.html

--

"If I accomplish one goal in my life, if nothing else gets done, this is the one thing that really matters to me-this is my highest goal and my number one priority:  to live in the presence of the LORD, to look on HIS beauty, and to learn from HIM."Nancy Leigh DeMoss, www.reviveourhearts.com

"One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek:  That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in HIS temple." Psalm 27:4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnRhbxF4cbU
"Where YOUR Glory Dwells" 




                                 

176884_1860995535446_1557678517_31932856_3647546_o.jpg 510K   View   Download

YouTube - Videos from this email

Wonderful Weekend for Women and "Where YOUR Glory Dwells"

"One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek:  That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in HIS temple." Psalm 27:4

Dear Praying Friends and Family,

    Well, may baby girl left a little while ago, with her friend Brooke and they are on their way back to Mobile.  We have enjoyed the week together, although it seems like a blur in some ways-so thankful to be able to spend snatches of time together with Hannah Beth.  Last night, she came and snuggled up to me in bed, and that was a special time together.  She may be 19, but she's still my baby and always will be.  Please pray for her and Brooke as they make the 5 hour journey back to Mobile.

     As i said, this week does seem like a blur in some ways, and i wasn't sure if i was going to write the Friday email.  After Hannah Beth left, i just felt inspired to sit down and share a few thoughts with you.  Last Friday, i asked you to pray for me as I was going to the Wonderful Weekend for Women up in Columbia, Tenn at FBC, Columbia, and to visit with some old dear friends.  GOD blessed me with the strength and health and means to go, thank you so much for praying. It was so good to see Carol Dawson and Melodye Dawson Reeves after 20 plus years and their folks.  As i mentioned last week, this family was so very dear and special to me after i got saved at Central Baptist in 1982.  Br. Mike, their Dad was the pastor their, and they practically adopted me into their own family and loved on me, and help me to grow as a baby CHRISTian.  Saturday, at the Women's Weekend, Tim Tebow's Mom spoke, and she was a real blessing as she spoke on how important it was in their family to teach the children Scripture by setting it to tunes when they were growing up.  She "sang" many of the Scriptures they had learned together, and it reminded me of some of the little Scripture songs the kids and I had learned when they were growing up.  She home schooled her kids, and talked about "Timmy" quite a bit. Mrs. Tebow  is 60 years old,  dark hair, very tall  slender, and very gracious, and can quote a ton of Scripture by singing it. You could tell, she wasn't just "singing" Scripture, it was her life, and the way that she abided in CHRIST.  She talked about how important it is to have Scripture in your heart, to confront every situation of life so that we don't loose hope and get discouraged.  She told her "GOD stories," of ways GOD had worked in her family's lives, and encouraged us to tell our "GOD stories."  I hope that's what i do in these Friday emails, is tell you "GOD stories," and how very faithful GOD is and has been to our family.

     The next gal who spoke i had never heard of and I was so blessed...her name was Tammy Trent...www.tammytrent.com.

When she got up on stage, and started dancing  and joking around, i thought this gal is shallow.  Wow, was i wrong...the LORD used her powerful testimony of how she lost her husband in a diving accident, and GOD's faithfulness to give her "beauty for ashes."   Her testimony gripped everyone's heart in the building...and there were close to a thousand women there.  Tammy danced, you can see her on youtube, she sang, she had us doubled over laughing, and had us crying.  GOD was very strong through her weakness.   You can hear her story here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AAwEEVi2W0&feature=related  and hear her sing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUmUEEfQOEA "At the Foot of the Cross."  She told us how dancing was a way that GOD used to keep her moving after her husband died because she just wanted to stop living.  GOD told her she had to keep moving, and man can she ever move!  I know i've never seen dancing like that in a Baptist Church, but once i heard her story, it all fit together.  GOD has to get us out of our "judgementalism," and let others be free with the gifts HE has given them to express HIS glory, and Tammy Trent brought much glory to the LORD.  If you ever get a chance to hear her...i would encourage you to by all means.  The LORD is powerful through her and she is such an encouragement of how GOD does indeed "give us beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness," as we dwell in HIS glory, and abide in HIS presence:

 61:1 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me 

to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the 

brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the 

prison to them that are bound; Is 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the 

Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; Is 61:3 

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, 

the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of 

heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of 

the Lord, that he might be glorified

     There are alot of ashes in the world around us as we look at the situation in the Middle East, the floods and earthquakes in New Zealand before that... We all are watching in disbelief at what is happening in Japan as a result of the tsunami last week.  Please remember the Japanese people in your prayers, and for the relief workers over there whose lives are endangered by the radiation and the living conditions.  I know Samaritan's purse, http://www.samaritanspurse.org/ is one CHRISTian organization  ministering to the people of Japan.  I heard our pastor i believe say in Sunday School that only 5% of the Japanese people are professing CHRISTians.  Pray the LORD will use this crisis to turn the people's hearts to the one true GOD, and they will become believers in JESUS CHRIST.

      I do know that some of you are going through "tsunamis" in your own lives. I came home from the Wonderful Weekend for Women last Friday night to find out that my dear friend Darlene Anderson has been fighting breast cancer for quiet some time.  Darlene and I and our families were bosom buddies when our kids were in elementary and junior high school years.  We home schooled together, went to church together and were in the same Sunday School class. In fact when we were visiting FBC in the late 1990's, her husband Arthur came and visited us and invited us to their class.  We kayaked together and she was there for me when i was so sick and helped with the kids.  She even helped give HB her birthday party one year when i was in Texas for treatment.  The news about Darlene really hurt me.  I just lost one friend to cancer, and now i learned one of my best friends is struggling with it. GOD's grace is always sufficient and HE is pouring out HIS love upon them through their church family who is bringing them meals three times a week, their own family is here to do whatever they can to help out, and through her doctors and friends.  Please remember Darlene and her family in your prayers during this difficult time for them.  As in most of their lives, our "tsunamis" don't just seem to come one at a time, but there are other trials too.

    It is easy to give way to fear, in the misdt of "tsunamis," in our lives.  Earlier this week, i had been trying to detox some heavy metals in my body, and I was overcome with the effects of it.  When i read my "Detoxify or Die," book by Dr. Sherry Rogers, and she said some people had died from trying to detox heavy metals too fast, i was a bit panic stricken.  I couldn't decide whether or not to call my doctor, but finally i did, and she was available to talk with me right then.  I was so blessed, and shortly after talking to her, i began to feel better.  I am still not over the effects yet, but better, and I learned some very important lessons to share with my "Detoxify or Die," class on Sunday nights at 5:00p.m. at FBC :).   We'd love for you to come and join us.  It seems a little funny now, looking back, and I'm sure my class will get a good laugh when i tell them what i did, but it wasn't funny at all when i was going through the worst of it early this week.  I was very uncomfortable and I was afraid.   I felt "stuck" and unable to escape the circumstances i found myself in...it reminded me of "Troy" yesterday when he got his leash wrapped around the shrub and crete myrtle tree and got "stuck," while i was pulling weeds out of the flower garden.  One little "woof," and I came running to his rescue.       Once again, i was reminded of how the LORD runs to us when we are "stuck," and we need HIM desperately.  Like the song I used last week, "My Help," ..."all of my help cometh from the LORD." 

    GOD is so very faithful to run to us, to succour  us.  I love that King James Word, succour that means to give aid or assistance, especially in times of trouble.  I'm so glad HE does that for us every minute of every day, and so thankful HE did that for me this week through my doctor when i was "stuck."   He runs to us when we are tempted... For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted."Hebrews 2:18.  We have to look no further than the story of the Prodigal Son or better named the Loving Father in the New Testament, and how he ran to greet HIS wayward son and welcomed him back in his arms with all HIS blessings.  This is GOD's heart for each one of His lost sheep, HE looks and looks until HE finds them and brings them safely home.  It is not His desire that any should perish, but that all would come into a personal and intimate relationship with GOD through HIS SON JESUS CHRIST.  HE loves us so much that HE gave up HIS SON to pay the price for your sins and mine.  

"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.

    But you know, there is more that GOD wants than to run to us, HE want us to abide in HIM, each and every minute of each and every day, " to dwell in HIS presence and stand in the awe of HIS beauty there."  The LORD knows for most of us, we don't do this too well, without having a little "help" in our lives to draw nearer to HIM and see HIS beauty...like a storm, or tsunami.  I went back and read Psalm 27 and realize that Psalm 27:4 is tucked right in the midst of where?  You guess it...trouble.

Of David.

 ¹ The LORD is my light and my salvation— 

   whom shall I fear? 

The LORD is the stronghold of my life— 

   of whom shall I be afraid?

 ² When the wicked advance against me 

   to devour^[a] me, 

it is my enemies and my foes 

   who will stumble and fall. 

³ Though an army besiege me, 

   my heart will not fear; 

though war break out against me, 

   even then I will be confident.

 ⁴ One thing I ask from the LORD, 

   this only do I seek: 

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD 

   all the days of my life, 

to gaze on the beauty of the LORD 

   and to seek him in his temple. 

⁵ For in the day of trouble 

   he will keep me safe in his dwelling; 

he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent 

   and set me high upon a rock.

 ⁶ Then my head will be exalted 

   above the enemies who surround me; 

at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; 

   I will sing and make music to the LORD.

 ⁷ Hear my voice when I call, LORD; 

   be merciful to me and answer me. 

⁸ My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” 

   Your face, LORD, I will seek. 

⁹ Do not hide your face from me, 

   do not turn your servant away in anger; 

   you have been my helper. 

Do not reject me or forsake me, 

   God my Savior. 

¹⁰ Though my father and mother forsake me, 

   the LORD will receive me. 

¹¹ Teach me your way, LORD; 

   lead me in a straight path 

   because of my oppressors. 

¹² Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, 

   for false witnesses rise up against me, 

   spouting malicious accusations.

 ¹³ I remain confident of this: 

   I will see the goodness of the LORD 

   in the land of the living. 

¹⁴ Wait for the LORD; 

   be strong and take heart 

   and wait for the LORD.

       Is trouble not where the LORD runs to us, and we see HIM best.  HE often uses our "tsunami's" to teach us to abide in HIM, not just when we feel like we "need" HIM, but every moment of every day.    HE wants to be our all and all and have a personal relationship with HIM...when we get up in the morning and spend time with  HIM in prayer and reading HIS WORD, when we cook breakfast, when we wash clothes, when we go out and about and do the work the LORD calls us to, when we lie down at night. Mrs. Tebow shared how she and her children learned to abide in CHRIST, and that is engrafting HIS WORD in their hearts, and carrying it there for every situation they face.  GOD loves us, and draws us to HIM through HIS HOLY SPIRIT.  HIS WORD empowers us to abide in HIM, and to gaze upon HIS beauty as we meditate upon HIM.

    We are preparing for our Spring Concert that is coming up Sunday night, April 3rd and we would be so honored for you to come and hear the praises of the LORD sung by our choir at FBC, Athens. One of the beautiful songs that has drawn me closer to the LORD this week as I have listened to it, is called "Where Your Glory Dwells," based on Psalm 27. http://www.fbcathensmusic.wpupload.com/index_181_2320909868.mp3 I wasn't sure if you could hear the choir version link, so i've included another copy I found on Youtube sung by Joy Fowler, also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnRhbxF4cbU.  This song is so beautiful and I feel drawn by the HOLY SPIRIT,as I listen  to "Where HIS Glory Dwells."  

This one thing I ask 

This one thing I seek 

Just to be in Your house forever 

To stand in awe of Your beauty there 

Surrounded by Your gentle care

CHORUS: 

Where Your glory dwells 

I am overwhelmed 

As Your presence draws me near 

How I love this place 

I'm sheltered by Your grace 

In Your house where Your glory dwells

As I enter through 

Your temple gates 

I'm received by Your goodness and mercy 

All my troubles cease, all my fears erased 

I am safe in Your dwelling place

CHORUS(2x)

    I pray in these troubled times that this Psalm, this song, will be a great comfort to you whatever your circumstances are today.  Remember that the "LORD has engineered ," your circumstances as Oswald Chambers says.  HE loves us and designs our circumstances to draw us near to HIM and lavish HIS sweet love upon us.  He longs to bring our hearts HIS peace and bring us safely into HIS dwelling place.


   "If I accomplish one goal in my life, if nothing else gets done, this is the one thing that really matters to me-this is my highest goal and my number one priority: to live in the presence of the LORD, to look on HIS beauty, and to learn from HIM." Nancy Leigh DeMoss,www.reviveourhearts.com

    Please continue to remember my brother Joe, in your prayers, as he is continuing to have headache issues, and please remember me, as I learn to be more patient in all areas, especially detoxing right now:).   I'm still trying to be surrendered to the LORD if He wants me to return to school, thank you for your prayers for me.  John Mac is on spring break next week with his job at Math Tutor at Calhoun.  His college he just graduated from UAH, won the regional basketball championship this week, and he is planning to board a bus next Tuesday and heading up to Massachusetts with some of his friends from UAH.  Please remember him...I'm excited for him to get to travel up to the Northeast where he has never been.

     Sure did love hearing from many of you last week...you liked the "Troy" story, i'm so glad.  I love you and thank GOD for each one of you and thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement to my heart!

                                                                                                                                    With all HIS love,

                                                                                                                                    mitzi

   P.S. Don't forget our Women's Conference next weekend at First Baptist...we still have plenty of tickets available.  Please come and join us for a wonderful time of abiding  in the LORD's presence. 

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

--

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation,
that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;
of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 1:15

"My memory is nearly gone;
but I remember two things;
That I am a great sinner, and
that Christ is a great Saviour." 

John Newton (1725-1807)

English minister and hymn writer     

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

"Amazing Grace, My Chains are Gone" John Newton, Chris Tomlin