"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/
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.
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
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.
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
"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.
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
(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
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)but I remember two things;
That I am a great sinner, and
that Christ is a great Saviour."
English minister and hymn writer
"Amazing Grace, My Chains are Gone" John Newton, Chris Tomlin
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