;He who dwells in the SHELTER of the MOST HIGH will abide in the SHADOW of the ALMIGHTY. I will say to the LORD, "My REFUGE and my FORTRESS. My GOD, in whom I trust!" Psalm 91:1-2
Dearest Praying Friends and Family, Your calls and emails asking about our family meant so much to us last week after the tornadoes...thank you so much for your love and concern. GOD was so GRACIOUS to our family and friends through the tornadoes...and we are so blessed. Before I go any further, i want to share a few prayer requests, and then jump right in to the email, which i tried and tried to write last weekend but the LORD would not allow me to complete it until now.
Prayer Requests- All those who lost loved ones, and homes in the tornadoes and those assisting them. Pray for open hearts to the LORD JESUS, for spiritual and physical needs to be met.
- My sis in law, Wendy, who is recovering from surgery this week.
- Darlene, my friend who has cancer. I had lunch with her last week, the day of the tornadoes, and she looked great and is feeling good. Please keep up the prayers for her and her family.
- Hannah Beth has finals this upcoming week. She will be coming home next Thurs. for a few days before the summer semester.
- All those who are missing their Mom's this Mother's Day.
And now for the rest of the email...
I just got off the phone with the man from SAFE-T-Shelter, the company we bought our fiberglass storm shelter from back in the 90's. Last week, as we took refuge in the shelter three times from the deadly tornadoes that ripped through our county and state, we noticed a few items that needed maintenance inside the shelter...like a new gasket around the handle where water was leaking in in the torrential downpour, and a new hook to make sure the heavy door didn't fly open if a tornado did hit. I was a little nervous about that...since we lost the old hook, and all we had was the regular door latch to hold the door down. It hasn't been three weeks ago that I ask my husband, "Could we just get rid of that old storm shelter," in our back yard. I was tired of cleaning it out each year from spiders (black widows really like around the door edges), ants, and now it seemed more and more water was leaking inside it. No one really wanted to go down in there unless it was cleaned out. Thankfully, Johnny didn't listen to me, and instead brought home one of his workers to clean it up for us. He sprayed it down good inside with orange oil and killed the ants and spiders (temporarily), dried the water out of it, and got it in good shape. I am so thankful for GOD putting it in my husband's heart to clean out the shelter...little did I know that three weeks later we would be seeking shelter in that SAF-T -SHELTER from the deadly tornadoes that devastated our state last Weds. GOD was so gracious and kept our families, and most of our friends and loved ones safe from the storms. Many were without power for a few days, and lost much of their food in their freezers and refrigerators...but even that was a blessing. We enjoyed having several come and shower at our house, and getting to visit with friends we haven't seen in awhile in our makeshift "bread and breakfast." My brother and his wife visited after being without electricity for two days and couldn't wait to have "ice" and a glass of cold tea. My brother couldn't wait to check his email. My sister in law said they had enjoyed having time to sit around as a family on the front porch and talk without the TV, without work, and they grilled out some of the food that was in their freezer...pork chops, corn on the cob and something else yummy. Even though they enjoyed the family time together, when they got an offer to go an stay where their was electricity, they jumped on it.
However, many not only lost their electricity, they lost their homes, their lives, or lives of their loved ones. So many of us were just on the edge of where the tornadoes hit. My Dad told me the tornado damage begin down the street in their neighborhood...the half mile wide tornado that the weather men said was headed right towards Calhoun College where Mom and Dad live a half mile away. Mom and Dad took shelter in their basement several times, and i am so thankful the storm was just north of them about a half mile...and missed their home. However, it took the same path it took in the 1974 tornadoes that did so much destruction in our state, and ripped through Beulah Land, Lawson's trailer court, and Rosie Rd...destroying many of the same houses and much of the trailer park. After the 74 tornadoes, in which my Daddy in law who was the sheriff then was a hero, a huge storm cellar was put in at the trailer court. The cellar was full when the F-5 tornado roared through the park last Weds. Because of the devastation over 37 years ago, lives were saved this time around...life was born out of death. . 10And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.Psalm 9:10 There are so many,many stories I have already heard of GOD protecting my loved ones from the storms...the tornadoes hit in the neighborhood of not only my parents, but two of my friends who lived in the East Limestone area. Though many houses were blown away in their neighborhood, GOD allowed their homes to remain. My friend Betty Dean Newman lives in the Canebrake Community where many of our church friends live. The E-5 storm roared through just to the south of their neighborhood before flattening Bethel Church of CHRIST and hitting home on McCulley Mill Road and flattening many nice huge homes in East Limestone. It missed my niece's house and our old church, New Life Baptist by a half mile or so before it roared through Harvest and destroyed many homes and in the Anderson Hills neighborhood which is a few miles away from my Uncle Mickey's Business on Hwy 53. Anderson Hills had been hit by a tornado back in the 90's. So many of our friends from New Life Baptist were so very close to the EF-5 tornado. One family's home was blown away, another was flooded, and others damaged. I thank GOD for keeping each and every one of you safe.
"Always be joyful. Always keep praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is GOD's will for you." I Thess. 5:16-18 TLB
Many of our college students from church were in college at Tuscaloosa and miraculously none of them were killed. Dr. Joe Cannon, whose daughter Lacey and Hannah Beth are the same age, got up Sunday night during a special prayer service, and thanked GOD for saving the life of his baby girl, who ran into a closet on top floor of her house in Tuscaloosa, and the dog laid on top of her. The tornado hit, taking the other half of the top story of the house Lacy was in,leaving Lacy and her dog safe. "YOU are my hiding place; YOU preserve me from trouble; YOU surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah." Psalm 32:7
One of the coaches in our county from Ardmore lost his little girl in the tornadoes at Tuscaloosa. Please be in prayer for their family.
Here is an account of one of the students who was in his apartment when the tornado hit:
http://blog.al.com/wire/2011/
- All those who lost loved ones, and homes in the tornadoes and those assisting them. Pray for open hearts to the LORD JESUS, for spiritual and physical needs to be met.
- My sis in law, Wendy, who is recovering from surgery this week.
- Darlene, my friend who has cancer. I had lunch with her last week, the day of the tornadoes, and she looked great and is feeling good. Please keep up the prayers for her and her family.
- Hannah Beth has finals this upcoming week. She will be coming home next Thurs. for a few days before the summer semester.
- All those who are missing their Mom's this Mother's Day.
And now for the rest of the email...
"YOU are my hiding place; YOU preserve me from trouble; YOU surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah." Psalm 32:7
If you're on facebook you can see the account of a family who ran to their bathroom and the tornado hit: http://www.facebook.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
For the breath of the ruthless is like a rain storm against a wall." Isaiah 25:4
http://media.al.com/spotnews/
Taranda Greene sang, "We Are So Blessed" with the Gaither Homecoming Choir just a few weeks after her husband Tony died...it is so appropriate now and always to give praise to our heavenly FATHER who loves us so much......http://www.youtube.
Last Sunday morning during Sunday School, our pastor was taking count of those in our class and church who had been affected by the tornadoes. We spent much of the time in prayer, praying for those who have been so affected by the storms. Tanjie Nash, a member of our class, cousin was killed from the tornadoes as she was coming home from work, traveling up Hwy. 31 the road Mom and Dad live on. Her cousin, was a sister in the LORD, and immediately the LORD delivered her up into heaven into HIS presence. Please remember her son and dear family in your prayers.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them." Psalm 34:7
My dear friend Wanda's son in law, John Conway, was traveling the same road along the same time, and saw the tornado, and turned around quickly and headed back down 31. A police officer was backing down 31 as fast as he could at the same time after seeing the tornado. GOD graciously spared our town, Athens.
0for it is written,
HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU TO GUARD YOU,'Luke 4:10
First Baptist Church has been set up as a Red Cross Shelter a place where people can come and get hot meals, showers, clothes, toiletries, water, sleep and get spiritual encouragement. What a blessing to see our friends at church were safe from the tornadoes and to see the body working together to serve three meals a day and help those who are hurting from these storms. Several of the churches are serving three meals a day and sending out hot meals to those who are out in the county working to pick up what's left. In some cases there aren't many pieces left to pick up-they have been blown away.
"Though HE slay me, yet will I trust in HIM." Job 13:15
"Have we come to the place where GOD can withdraw HIS blessings and it does not affect our trust in HIM?" -Oswald Chambers
Yesterday, i had the blessing of spending a little time helping the Limestone Co. Southern Baptist Disaster relief team. Oh, believe me, i didn't do much at all, I really didn't since i arrived between meals. I maybe gave a couple of bottles of water and other miscellaneous stuff, but the blessing was mine to see this committed group of workers who had set up camp on the parking lot of Capshaw Baptist to cook three meals a day for workers, for the homeless, and whoever needed food and water and other supplies. They are trained volunteers who actually sleep there and stay for as long as they are needed pouring out the love of JESUS CHRIST in whatever ways they can. They also have a team who is out cutting down trees and hauling away brush, and they have chaplains who minister spiritual encouragement. It just really blesses me to see the body of CHRIST in action sharing GOD's love. This morning I read this verse and words from Oswald Chambers and it really blessed me...that even giving out a couple of bottles of water in JESUS' name are ways that HE can use us to be a blessing to others:
"And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, he shall in no wise lose his reward." Matt. 10:42
"We look for visions from heaven, and we never dream that all the time GOD is in the commonplace things and people around us. If we will do the duty that lies nearest, we shall see HIM." Oswald Chambers
-Oswald Chambers
I have thought and pondered much about JESUS being our refuge and shelter from the storms of life this week and how HE wants us to run to HIM and take shelter in HIM for all that HE allows to come into our lives...I have shared with you above some of GOD's grace in ministering to those HE did allow the tornadoes to strike and how HE pours out HIS lovingkindness and grace and mercy to us through the body of CHRIST, through HIS Word, HIS peace and comfort and so many ways when the tornadoes do hit in our lives, whether they are an EF-5, or something on a smaller scale...HE is there to be our refuge, our fortress, our ROCK and strong tower.
Psalm 91 Security of the One Who Trusts in the LORD.
1He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!" 3For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper And from the deadly pestilence. 4He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. 5You will not be afraid of the terror by night, Or of the arrow that flies by day; 6Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon. 7A thousand may fall at your side And ten thousand at your right hand, But it shall not approach you. 8You will only look on with your eyes And see the recompense of the wicked. 9For you have made the LORD, my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place. 10No evil will befall you, Nor will any plague come near your tent. 11For He will give His angels charge concerning you, To guard you in all your ways. 12They will bear you up in their hands, That you do not strike your foot against a stone. 13You will tread upon the lion and cobra, The young lion and the serpent you will trample down. 14"Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. 15"He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 16"With a long life I will satisfy him And let him see My salvation."
Security of the One Who Trusts in the LORD.
1He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!"
3For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper
And from the deadly pestilence.
4He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.
5You will not be afraid of the terror by night,
Or of the arrow that flies by day;
6Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.
7A thousand may fall at your side
And ten thousand at your right hand,
But it shall not approach you.
8You will only look on with your eyes
And see the recompense of the wicked.
9For you have made the LORD, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
10No evil will befall you,
Nor will any plague come near your tent.
11For He will give His angels charge concerning you,
To guard you in all your ways.
12They will bear you up in their hands,
That you do not strike your foot against a stone.
13You will tread upon the lion and cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.
14"Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.
15"He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
16"With a long life I will satisfy him
And let him see My salvation."
We sang "A Mighty Fortress is Our GOD"http://www.youtube.com/
He cannot and will not forsake us, who are not only HIS sons and daughters but also the dwelling-places of HIS only begotten SON." Elisabeth Elliot, www.elisabethelliot.org
"I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5
Late Wednesday afternoon, when the tornado warning went off, this was the third time we took cover after starting at 4:30a.m. that morning going to my in-laws basement. Johnny said we needed to get in the storm shelter with urgency in his voice. He was ushering me to the back door with our blanket and weather radio, flashlight, and "Troy," our Maltipoo, in my arms. As I opened the door, the lightening flashed right on top of us it seemed and i exclaimed, "We can't go out there...we'll get struck by lightening!" Let's get in the bathtub! Johnny went up front, i guess to get another look at where the tornado was headed and said, "Let's get in the shelter NOW!!!" So i didn't ask any questions and we went straight away to the storm shelter in the pouring rain in our backyard. Thankfully, the lightening had let up. Our neighbor's, Shane and Trish and their two children were already in there. Shane said when he was on his way home from work, debris was flying in the air all around him, and he came in and they headed for our storm shelter. It was comforting to have our neighbor's inside with us. It rained really hard, and hailed...and in a little while it was okay to go out. We weren't out of the shelter long, before another warning was issued, and we met Shane and Trisha back inside the shelter again. I'm not sure which time the EF-5 roared through about 3 miles or so from our house...and i heard later there were other tornadoes spotted over the courthouse but they didn't touch down...there were 100 or so that day in Alabama alone.
2The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2
Something the LORD has kept on my mind this week, much on my mind is that storm shelter...that old storm shelter that I wanted to get rid of because it was too much trouble to mess with, was our salvation from the storms. I almost rejected the storm cellar when the big tornado was nearby, because i was afraid, but the bathtub in our house wasn't near as safe. How many reject the salvation of CHRIST JESUS for false "shelters," in which they perish...."shelters," of money, pride, false religions, or put off making a decision for CHRIST. My heart has been broken over the devastation that I have seen and heard about with the tornadoes across our state...but something that continues to haunt me, is that all those who are not in the "SAFE-T-SHELTER" of JESUS CHRIST, and have rejected HIS sacrifice for our sins on the cross, will face eternal damnation of their souls, burning in hell fire forever and ever.
In Mark 9:47 JESUS says, " And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of GOD with one eye than to have too eyes and be thrown into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched."
"For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only SON that whosoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16.
John 3:16 has become more real to me than it ever has this past week as i have reflected on those will perish who are outside the "SAFE-T-SHELTER" of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. So many choose the "bathtub" or ignore the warnings like we read the college student did above. That didn't keep the tornado from hitting, and neither will putting off a decision for CHRIST in our lives, keep destruction from happening to us. Someone said this week, that JESUS talked about hell over 300 times in the New Testament...HE loves us so much and HE gave HIS life and rose from the dead to be our shelter from the peril that is before us...to save us from the wrath of destruction for our sins.
"You shall call HIS name JESUS, for HE will save HIS people from their sins."Matt. 1:21
"YOU know that HE appeared to take away sins.-That we might die to sin and live to righteousness.-Consequently, HE is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to GOD through HIM." I John 3:5
"But HE was wounded for our transgressions; HE was crushed for our iniquities; upon HIM was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with HIS stripes we are healed." Isa. 53:5,6.
When that tornado roared through, there was not time to put off making a decision about getting in the SAFE-T-SHELTER. You and I are not promised tomorrow. My prayer, my earnest plea is that if you have never surrendered your life to CHRIST and repented of your sins that you will do that today. It is not HIS will that any should perish, but all who are not safe in the SHELTER of THE ALMIGHTY will perish and will burn forever and ever.
20The LORD keeps all who love Him,
But all the wicked He will destroy." Psalm 145:20
But all the wicked He will destroy." Psalm 145:20
Ezekiel 33:11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
Our safety, our salvation is in CHRIST JESUS, and that sure has been driven home to me these past few days. I hope that it is a lesson that will burn deeply in my heart, that I would warn others to "flee from the wrath that is to come." Luke 3:7
I read this article written by Joel Rosenburg and it goes right along with what the LORD has laid on my heart this week:
OSAMA BIN LADEN NOW IN HELL
Posted: May 2, 2011 by joelcrosenberg in Uncategor- Hamas condemns killing of “holy warrior” bin Laden
- How the U.S. tracked down bin Laden
- Minute-by-minute: The operation to get bin Laden
The long American nightmare is over. Osama bin Laden has been brought to justice, killed in Pakistan yesterday by U.S. commandos after a decade-long hunt. Justice has been served. But let’s be clear: bin Laden is not now in Paradise with 72 virgins.
Bin Laden was a fanatical Radical Sunni Muslim. He hated the Lord Jesus Christ. He hated and cursed Christians and Jews. He murdered Christians and Jews and others; recruited, trained and deployed thousands of others Muslims to murder Christians, Jews and others; and pursued a life of sheer evil defiance of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Unless he truly and sincerely repented at the last possible moment and received Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior — unlikely given the speed of the raid — he is now burning in the fires of Hell.
In the days ahead, I’ll analyze how the death of bin Laden could affect the U.S., Israel and the world. But it is important to first understand the conclusion of his life. Bin Laden was deeply religious and deeply sincere, I have no doubt. But he was sincerely wrong, and the Bible teaches there is a consequence to defying the One True God.
Hell is not a topic much discussed in our world today, even by many Christians. Some pastors choose not to teach what the Bible says about Hell. One high-profile American pastor, Rob Bell, recently published a book — Love Wins – denying that Hell is real. “A staggering number of people have been taught that a select few Christians will spend forever in a peaceful, joyous place called heaven, while the rest of humanity spends forever in torment and punishment in hell with no chance for anything better,” writes Bell. “It’s been clearly communicated to many that this belief is a central truth of the Christian faith and to reject it is, in essence, to reject Jesus. This is misguided and toxic and ultimately subverts the contagious spread of Jesus’ message of love, peace, forgiveness, and joy that our world desperately needs to hear.”
As difficult as it is to conceive of such a place of eternal torment — indeed, no one wants to think about it — its reality is exactly what the Bible teaches. Indeed, since Jesus was God incarnate — all-seeing, all-knowing, all-loving — He knew all too well the reality of Hell. He came to Earth to pay the penalty for our sins and to rescue all who would follow Him from having to spend their eternity there. In fact, Jesus taught more about Hell than He did about heaven. Why? Because He loved all people so much that He wanted to save the from eternal damnation. He wanted them to understand the choice of rejecting the Messiah. And He wanted to give each of us a way of escape, if only we would say yes by faith.
- Jesus said in Matthew 10:28, “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell.”
- Jesus said in Mark 9:43, “If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into Hell, into the unquenchable fire.”
- Jesus said to corrupt, hypocritical religious leaders in Matthew 23:33, “You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of Hell?”
- Jesus said in John 3:16-18, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish [die and be condemned to suffer in Hell forever and ever and ever], but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
- Jesus said in Matthew 10:32-39, “Therefore, everyone who confesses Me before men, I will confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven…..He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take up his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life who lose it [in Hell], and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it [in heaven].”
Hell is real. And it’s not only mass murderers like bin Laden who go there. The Bible says that unless we receive Jesus as our Savior and accept His payment for our sins, we will all end up there. May you choose eternal life instead. Why not today?
I want to finish this email with the old hymn..."The OLD RUGGED CROSS"http://www.youtube.com/
"The one thing we cannot do, we who have tasted of HIS love and grace, and been lifted out of the darkness and brought into all joy and power of knowing HIM, is to sit back comfortably and leave HIM alone in the task of searching for the lost."
-Hannah Hurnard
"If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go look for the one?...In the same way your FATHER in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones be lost." Matt. 18:12
I'm thankful that the parts for the "Safe T Shelter" will be on their way soon and I won't have to worry about the door flying off if a tornado hits or the water leaking inside...though i will be wary of the black widows:). That's one thing we don't have to worry about in CHRIST JESUS....our salvation in HIM is never in doubt, we cannot loose our salvation in CHRIST, nothing can "suck" us out through the door.
JESUS said in John 10:28: "I give eternal life to you and you shall never perish. No one can snatch you out of MY hand. My FATHER who has given you to me is greater than all and no one is able to snatch you out of the FATHER's hand." John 10:28-29.
Praise JESUS, no leaky or missing parts in our salvation in HIM...we are safe in the arms of JESUS. "The eternal GOD is your REFUGE and underneath are the everlasting arms." Deut. 33:27
Please continue to remember us all the workers and those who have lost so much in the tornadoes in your prayers. Please pray for us to be sensitive to how GOD wants to use us to reach out to those suffering around us.
Don't forget Mother's Day this Sunday...My Mom, in the picture at her 80th birthday is planning to go to the cemetery to take flowers to honor her Mother, and I hope to go with her this weekend. As someone recently said, at a women's conference i went to...even if you don't have the best relationship with your Mom, you are going to miss her when she is not here, so make the most of your time together and be thankful for the Mom GOD gave you. She is the one that GOD picked out for you to care for you and shape and mold you into who you are for HIM. I am so thankful for my dear Mother...weak she has been, but GOD has been so strong through her weaknesses and used her to love and care for me and my brothers and sister and teach us about JESUS' love for us. So many of you would love to have just one more day together with your Mom on earth...may the LORD comfort and encourage your hearts with the hope that we have in CHRIST , that one day we will be reunited with those who are safe in HIS love, JESUS CHRIST our SAFE-T-SHELTER.
Sheltered in the ARMS of HIS love,
mitzi
A couple of ways you can donate to the tornado relief effort in Alabama:
www.Samaritan's Purse.com
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