"Where Joy and Sorrow Meet"

                                                              Darlene Anderson
                                              January 4, 1961-September 30, 2011
                     "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of HIS saints." Psalm 116:15


But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. I Thess. 4:12-17 

Dear Praying Friends and Family,

    I learned after I had sent this out this morning that Darlene went home to be with her LORD and SAVIOR about 1:45 a.m. this morning...visitation will be tonight at Limestone Chapel from 6-9 and a Celebration of her precious life will be tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. at Limestone Chapel.  In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to an education fund being set up for her children.  So, below is the original email as i sent it to my family and friends this morning before i learned of Darlene's HOMEgoing...

    

        You have been so kind to ask about my friend Darlene, and to pray for her and her family.  I have included a picture of my sweet friend and her precious family so you can put a face to them.  This was taken when Philip was an infant, his first CHRISTmas it looks like.  He will be nine this year, i think. This is at their house for CHRISTmas...Darlene always decorates the house so beautifully for CHRISTmas and we used to spend an evening together every year with our families celebrating CHRISTmas together, singing CHRISTmas carols, reading the Scriptures and opening gifts.   

       It's been a tough week for Darlene and Arthur and their family.     I had the joy and sorrow of visiting with Darlene and her family on two separate occasions this week.  Sunday night, after we finished singing at church, i felt like the LORD was prompting me to go see Darlene, and not wait until the service was over.  I am so glad i did...it had been a very difficult weekend for Arthur and his family. as they watched Darlene being unable to eat or respond to them as she had been earlier because of an increase of her pain medication. Arthur was really struggling with Darlene's situation, and I saw this man who was is so devoted to his wife, cry in anguish.  He was not angry with GOD, but he felt like it was wrong the way she was being medicated and he was not going to rest until he felt like she was being taken care of better.  He got on the Internet and researched and the next day he found out through the pharmacist that her dosage had been lessened on Friday by the doctor, but no one had changed it for Darlene over the weekend. Thankfully, Monday her dosage was halved, and then   Arthur  had it changed where he would have to push it for her  every hour around the clock if she needed  it so that she wouldn't be totally out of it.  This man who has loved his wife like CHRIST loves the Church was once again laying down his life for his wife.

    Monday, I took some food by their house that Johnny had brought in from the restaurant, but i just couldn't face going in and seeing Darlene.  Thankfully, Arthur was sitting outside in his van charging up his phone battery when i came, and he didn't didn't ask me to come in. He was busy working on getting Darlene's medication reduced, but i later told him, i just wasn't able to see her that day and he said he understood.    Arthur told me on the phone later that he had gone to the funeral home here in town to make arrangements for Darlene's funeral that morning, which is going to be a CELEBRATION.  He said it was raining when he and the man went out into the cemetary to pick out a couple of plots, one for him and one for Darlene.  You can imagine what that felt like.   But he said that he and the man who helped him had the best time you could have in that situation...GOD's grace was upon dear Arthur, who said when he got up that morning he felt like he couldn't face that day.   GOD gave him the grace to do what he needed to do once again.  One of our former pastors, Br. Fred Lackey said he would be honored to come back and do Darlene's funeral...

    Yesterday (Wed.) i was feeling some better and i promised Arthur i would come over to see Darlene.  It was also the one year anniversary of Tony Greene's homecoming to heaven and as I exercised i watched some of the Greene's videos, "Hold On," "O Beautiful Star of Bethlehem," "When GOD Has Another Plan," "GOD Will Turn Your Test into a Testimony" and it reminded me why i love this dear family so much...i've included this website for a "mix" of their wonderful songs that have encouraged me so greatly since I met them....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPXBnJOSx48&feature=list_related&playnext=1&list=AVGxdCwVVULXd6Fx0F83QtNJSJllkikqBp .  I've  also included "A Tribute"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD9I_0af8KU&feature=player_embedded#! to Tony that was done at this year's National Quartet Convention and his precious sister Kim Greene Hopper who is singing while it's showing.  Please continue to remember this dear family in your prayers...they miss Tony so very much and i do too.     I remembered that Darlene had gone with me to the very first Greene's concert i ever attended over at Guntersville, Al at Rocky Branch Holiness Church.  Darlene and I and Hannah Beth drove over and I didn't know the Greene's from Adam, except that I had met Tim Greene,  http://thegreenesmusic.com/ , in the allergy testing room in Texas at the Environmental Health Clinic.  He told me he would send me a couple of CD's and he did. I was shocked, i didn't think he would remember.   When Tim walked in he hugged me, and it was great to see him. He had nearly died from mold poisoning and was trying to get back out on the road and sing with his family. GOD didn't open the door at that time, but HE has healed Tim and you are part of that as you prayed for him through the years.   It is  amazing how GOD has enabled Tim to go and preach and sing HIS praises all over now.  I didn't hardly notice Tony or Taranda or anyone else on stage that very first night, i was watching Tim.  After the concert, Darlene and I were outside, and I was talking to Tim and his wife, Amy, and Darlene picked up an autograph picture of the Greene's off their sales table.  She thought it was free, and we later found out it was $3.00 or something like that ( i know the Greene's they would had gladly given that picture to us if they had known)...so i teased her about stealing the Greene's picture that very first night.  I have kept it upstairs beside my drumset, and yesterday, i thought since it was the anniversary of Tony's homegoing, i'd take that picture, and the Greene's CD, "A Glimpse of Glory," and a "Friends," plaque that Darlene had given me years ago that hangs in my bathroom and share some good memories with her. Even if she couldn't respond, i wanted to share them with her. 

    The house was so peaceful when Arthur came to the door to let me in.  I was very thankful that I wasn't coming at a bad time...Darlene's Mom had just finished giving her a bed bath and she was through.  Darlene opened her eyes wide a few times, but  wasn't able to respond much beyond that, but i knew that she could hear me, and i talked to her just like she was talking back to me.  I took out that Greene's picture and asked her is she remembered "stealing" it the very first time we went to see them.  I drug Darlene to a bunch of Greene's concerts so it was special the picture was from the very first one we went to together.  I told Arthur about the song on the "Glimpse of Glory" CD that had come out when Darlene and I first started knowing the Greenes, that meant so much to me.  Tim had written it one night after he got a card asking him what did he do to deserve his sickness.  It takes a lot to make Tim Greene mad, like it does Arthur, but he wrote that song in response..."I  don't have to know the reason, I don't have to ask HIM why, I know HE knows what's best for me, best for my life. So I'll daily surrender to what HE has for me, i will keep on trusting GOD."  I knew this is where Arthur and Darlene were walking and I shared those words with them, that have meant so very much to me since i first heard them.  After we talked about the Greene's a little while, i pulled out the plaque Darlene had given me, and read it to her.  The last verse on it says, "Greater love hath no man than this than to lay down his life for his friends."  John 15:13.  I told Darlene and Arthur, who was standing beside me, that verse was so true for Darlene...she was constantly laying down her life for her family and her friends.   When I was in Texas one year being treated at the clinic, Darlene came over and helped give a birthday party for Hannah Beth.  She was forever doing things for me or for my kids and helping me every way that she could when i was homeschooling and was sick.  She was always there for me just to talk and help me through rough times, and it wasn't just me she was like that to.  I told Arthur the food coop used to meet at our house, and it started getting to me, and Darlene volunteered to meet at her house, and we had it there for a long time.  The coop took up at least half a day if you were the one hosting it and she was always more than happy to have everyone and their kids over there running and playing while we broke down the coop.  Even in her sickness, their house is often like grand central station with friends and family coming and going constantly...her and Arthur both have such loving and giving hearts. 

    After I read the plaque to her that she had given me, i asked Arthur if he minded if I read a Psalm to her.  I hadn't planned to do that, it just popped in my mind...i know the LORD put it there.  I read to her Psalm 34, one that I have shared in my Friday emails recently that has meant so much to me through the years, and afterward, Arthur and I sang, "I Am Thine Oh LORD," to her out of the Baptist Hymn book.  I was so blessed to get to do that for my friend. I have shared with ya'll how Arthur has read Psalms and sung hymns to Darlene to bring comfort and peace to her soul, and now i was privileged to do this with him.  I couldn't help but notice the words to that last verse of "I Am Thine Oh LORD"..."There are depths of love that I cannot know till I cross
the narrow sea; there are heights of joy that I may not reach till I rest in peace with thee. " Arthur and I both knew that forebearing a divine miracle, it wouldn't be long til his beloved wife, and mother of his children would be crossing that narrow sea and experiencing the depths of love  and heights of joy with her sweet SAVIOR that we cannot know until we rest in peace with HIM.  Arthur said he was jealous and wanted to go with her.

    As I sat beside Darlene on a stool, and held her hand, Arthur and his Mom were  in and out of the sun room where Darlene lay peacefully.  We started talking about today, (Thurs.)this day, being   Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year and it being the Feast of Trumpets, one of the seven Jewish feast the LORD commanded the Jews in the Old Testament to observe each year.  I told them about a DVD i had just watched about how JESUS fulfilled each one of the Spring Feasts, Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Weeks, or Pentecost, on the very day of the Feast, and there are those who teach that when JESUS comes for his CHURCH, HE will do it during the Feast of Trumpets to fulfill it.  Since it's a two day feast, the teacher explained that's why no one will know the day.  I heard this teaching a long time ago from Zola Levitt, and each year during this time, i am always hoping the LORD will return during the Feast of Trumpets.  It sure did raise our hearts talking and thinking about how prophecy is being fulfilled, and it can't be long until JESUS does return for HIS BRIDE...what if it was this year?  There is still time for HIM to return and fulfill the Feast of Trumpets...it started at sundown yesterday i believe, and will go through probably sundown Friday...keep your eye on the sky!  If you are interested in learning more about the Seven Feasts of Israel, you can order these DVD's from www.wnd.com. The DVD's are entitled, "The Feasts of the LORD," or you can check out Zola Levitt's website...www.levitt.com and order his booklet entitled, "The Seven Feasts of Israel."  Both of them are fascinating studies...and will increase your faith in the LORD JESUS, i promise. 

      Arthur read the passage I used above to his Mom and me, and Darlene as we talked about JESUS coming back soon.  After we visited awhile and talked of the LORD's return...Arthur had some phone calls to make, and I needed to return home.  I said a prayer with my dear friend, kissed her and told her that I loved her.  Once again, it was a very peaceful time and I knew that JESUS' Presence was right there with us... and in the midst of the sorrow, there was joy and peace.

     I know there has been a lot of joy and sorrow  in Arthur and Darlene's hearts and their family and friends.  I know how much Darlene loves her family and that it is very hard for her to leave them...even for heaven.  Darlene told Arthur just last week that she wasn't ready to go to heaven yet.  She is a fighter and wants to stay here as long as she can and how Arthur has loved his wife and poured out his life for hers.  Their parents and family have been so faithful to come and help and be there for Arthur and Darlene,  Jeremy, Natalie and little Philip who will be 9 i think in Dec. As I watched Darlene's Mom come in and love her daughter and rearrange her oxygen tube, i thought how difficult that would be if that were my daughter laying there.  She has been there for weeks now, camping out in the driveway in her van, doing whatever she can to help Arthur and Darlene and the kids. Arthur's Mom and Dad are there too, having made several trips back and forth from Georgia, along with all of their family on both sides...it's been a beautiful sight to behold watching these families brought together through their suffering, and watching them minister to one another and care for Darlene and her family.  

    We have been working on a song in choir called "Where Joy and Sorrow Meet, " and we're singing it this Sunday morning.  I had never heard this song before, but each time we practice it the words minister to me more and more and it sure  is appropriate for what i'm sharing this week. 

     "There's a place of quiet stillness, 'tween the light and shadows reach, 

       where the hurting and the hopeless seek everlasting peace.

       Words of men and songs of angels whisper comfort bittersweet,

       Mending grief and life eternal where joy and sorrow meet.

       There is a place where hope remains in crowns of thorns and crimson stains,

        and tears that fall on JESUS' feet where joy and sorrow meet.

       There's a place the lost surrender and the weary will never retreat,

        full of grace and mercy tender in times of unbelief.  For the wounded

        there is healing; strength is given to the weak.  Broken hearts find love

        redeeming where joy and sorrow meet. 

     There is a place where hope remains in crowns of thorns and crimson stains,

      and tears that fall on JESUS' feet where joy and sorrow meet.

      There is a place of thirst and hunger, where the roots of faith grow deep,

       and there is rain and rolling thunder when the road is rough and steep.

      There is hope in desperation; there is victory in defeat at the cross of restoration, 

       where joy and sorrow meet.

        

       JESUS paid it all, all to HIM I owe.  Sin had left a crimson stain;

       HE washed it white as snow.  And tears that fall on JESUS's feet,

       where joy and sorrow meet.

    I just listened for the first time to the Prestonwood Baptist Church  choir in North Dallas, singing it on youtube, and it is so powerful.  GOD is so powerful through the soloist, who is the Minister of Music's wife.   Please take time to watch this video and ask the LORD to let the words and the meaning of the song sink deep into your heart  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnNG3pJoExs. 

        I'm sure I don't grasp all the meaning of this song, but I know that it is at the Cross of Calvary that our joy and sorrow meets and that we join in the "fellowship of HIS sufferings," as Paul shares in Phil. 3:10.  There is a joy that only CHRISTians can experience in the midst of our sorrow, because of what CHRIST has done for us on the Cross. 

Taking Comfort in CHRIST's Cross

Are you a distressed believer? Is your heart pressed down with sickness, tried with disappointments, overburdened with cares? To you I say this day, “Behold the cross of Christ.” Think whose hand it is that chastens you; think whose hand is measuring to you the cup of bitterness which you are now drinking. It is the hand of Him who was crucified! It is the same hand which, in love to your soul, was nailed to the accursed tree. Surely that thought should comfort and hearten you. Surely you should say to yourself, “A crucified Savior will never lay upon me anything that is not for my good. There is a needs be. It must be well.”

~ J.C. Ryle

 The worst day in history became the best, as our LORD was crucified for our sins, and then was raised in newness of life...so that we too, might be raised in newness of life.  Because of the hope in CHRIST JESUS, Arthur knows that he will be with Darlene again for all eternity and he can have joy in sorrow knowing that there separation is only temporary.  We also know that JESUS can transform our sufferings as we offer them up to HIM and turn them into joy, as HE gives us beauty for ashes, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

"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."—Isaiah 61:3.

    Do you know JESUS , personally and intimately.  Have you trusted in HIS sacrifice alone to save you from all the sins you have done?  If not, I invite you, JESUS invites you today, to trust HIM, repent of your sins, and you too, can find "Where Joy and Sorrow Meets," at the  feet of JESUS. 

     "But GOD, who is rich in mercy, because of HIS great love with which HE loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with CHRIST (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in CHRIST JESUS, that in the ages to come HE might show the exceeding riches of HIS grace and kindness toward us in CHRIST JESUS." Eph. 2:4-7

    I love you and thank you so much for your prayer for my friends...they are precious and I wish that you could know them like i do.  I hope these emails help you to realize what a very special family they are because of CHRIST WHO lives in them and the love HE has put in their hearts that is shed abroad to all who know them.

   I mentioned last week that our former pastor's son, Jordan Johnson, had fallen three stories high onto concrete.  He is now in Shepherd's Rehab Hospital in Atlanta where he got his new wheelchair today...it's the first time he's been out of bed in 11 days.  The doctor's are saying it will be CHRISTmas before he can put any weight on his legs to try and learn to walk again.  They are encouraged that he has feeling and can move his legs a tiny bit now...please pray for this dear family as they go through this time of great trial with their son.  Br. Aaron shared on FB today, that except for a few hours, his wife had been by her sons side constantly and he asked for prayer for her too. You can visit Jordan's Caringbridge page here http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jordanjohnson1.  Their story, like your family and mine, is one where "Joy and Sorrow Meet," at the feet of JESUS. Update this morning (Friday) on Jordan:  The doctors think he has a blood clot in his lung and Br. Aaron, his Dad, had a car pull out in front of him on the way to the hospital early this morning to see Jordan.  Br. Aaron is okay, but twisted his back.  They have both been taken to Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, please remember them all in your prayers.  

    Please remember my in laws in your prayers- they are both experiencing some difficult medical issues.  My mother in law is a trooper, and she doesn't complain, but she let me know this is a very hard time for them.  Pray the LORD would strengthen me to be of more help to them...they have been so wonderful to me, and our family, and I know that they and my parents are going to need more and more of our help in the days to come.

    Also, i want to close with two praises...i made it through my second round of parasite medicine this week and GOD helped me to take all the medicine this time. It was very uncomfortable last time and i stopped short of taking it all.  Please pray that this will kill them and we will find out why i have a propensity to get these over and over and be able to break the cycle. The LORD just reminded me that i am fearfully and wonderfully made...in acceptance lieth peace.  I still want to find out and do something to prevent it if that is possible!  And John Mac was accepted into UAB's medical school!  We thank the LORD and praise HIM for HIS goodness in all of our lives...now, you can keep busy praying him through  med school for the next several years. 

    Thank you so much for your prayers for our family and friends, and thank you for spending this time with me...you really bless me by taking time to read these emails.   I pray the LORD will bless you with HIS love and tender care for you "Where Joy and Sorrow Meet," at the precious feet of JESUS.

                                                                                  With all HIS love,

                                                                                            mitzi

"The LORD is my SHEPHERD;

I shall not want.

HE maketh me to lie down

in green pastures;

HE leadeth me beside the still waters.

HE restoreth my soul.

HE leadeth me in the paths of righteousness

for HIS name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For YOU are with me;

YOUR rod and YOUR staff, they comfort me.

YOU prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

YOU annoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

                                                         -Psalm 23

   Just wanted to include this song in memory of my dear friend Tony Greene who is already in heaven, and for my precious friend Darlene, who is close to heaven's door....one of my favorites the Greene's sing: The Glorious City of GOD http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUZf1QspIjE.  I love you, both...thank you both for the wonderful love of CHRIST and encouragement you  have shared with me   "Marching to the Glorious City of GOD."  

  

--

            

                                  "Men ought always to pray and not to faint." Luke 18:11

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOOFAaUGfRE&feature=player_embedded "Blessings"

"Pray much for others; plead for GOD's mercy upon them; give thanks for all HE is going to do for them."    -I Tim. 2:1 TLB         

"It's a Good View from Here"

"As it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.  Therefore GOD is not ashamed to be called their GOD, for HE has prepared for them a city. Heb. 11:16 An inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you." I Pet. 1:4

Dear Praying Friends and Family,

     I went by to see my friend Darlene earlier this week. Darlene is struggling with breast cancer.   She was able to come home from the hospital over the weekend, and her husband texted me to let me know she was home and he had a cozy place set up for her.  When i dropped by Monday morning on my way to Bible study, i had no idea what a cozy place Arthur had set up for his wife.  Darlene's sister, Derita, was outside in a camp chair, and she told me to go on in.  When i stepped inside, Darlene's Mom was cooking some fried eggs and her other sister, Lisa,  was scurrying around helping with breakfast.   They told me Darlene and Arthur were on the sun porch.  I was surprised as i was expecting to go back to Arthur and Darlene's bedroom.  When i walked through the double doors, there was Arthur standing over Darlene in a hospital bed, feeding her a delicious  breakfast of pancakes he had made, scrambled eggs, and bacon.   Darlene's bed was facing the swimming pool in the back yard, which was surrounded by trees...a beautiful view.  I was amazed at this restful and peaceful place that Arthur had so lovingly prepared for his wife so Darlene could enjoy the view.  Darlene was more precious than ever, and though she struggled to say much, she insisted on waiting to eat until she visited with me.  Darlene told me the LORD has been good to her.  She and I talked briefly about a camping trip our families went on together one time, and how all we did was cooked and washed heavy cast iron pots the whole time.  We share so many memories when we were homeschooling our children.  I told Darlene i was very sorry about the 4-5 year gap that we have had in our friendship and she told me not to be sorry...through her suffering, the LORD brought our paths back together in recent months. We talked about how good Arthur has been to her to love her and care for her.  I told her she was good to him too.  I never heard Darlene say one negative thing about her husband...in fact i don't remember her ever saying a bad word about anyone.   I was saying what a beautiful place Arthur has prepared for her and she said, "I have a good view from here."  I hugged Darlene and kissed her and she kissed me back on the cheek.   Though she didn't have much strength, she used it to visit with me those few precious moments and give me the best of her  sweet love. It's hard to write this about my friend, that I may never get to talk to again on earth.  Darlene has been such a true friend, and she is so dear and so very precious...I know that JESUS lives in her heart, and HIS presence was there with us as we visited that morning.  Please remember her and all her family in your prayers as they lovingly care for her.

     When Darlene shared those words with me that she has a good view, it flashed into my mind, that not only was her physical view good, but Darlene and Arthur both have a good view of their heavenly FATHER and heaven from here.  There is nothing like suffering and facing death  to sharpen our view of JESUS and fix our mind on heavenly things.  When Darlene looked at me and told me the LORD has been good to her, i knew that she meant it, and she knows her LORD and she is ready to meet HIM if HE calls her home.  She and Arthur have fought the good fight, but Darlene's body is giving out, and Arthur has prepared his bride for heaven, singing over her, encouraging her, and laying down his life in every way to make her journey here as comfortable as possible and to prepare her for her heavenly home.  I have never seen a husband pour out his life in so many ways as Arthur has for Darlene.  

     As I write this, I am once again reminded  of how CHRIST JESUS loves HIS Bride, the Church, and how HE pours out HIS life for us, in every way including death on the cross to pay for our sins.  I also think of how Arthur longed to be able to bring Darlene home from hospital so he could prepare her a beautiful place to rest and feed her nutritious food and surround her with the love and care of her family.  I think about how my heavenly FATHER is preparing a place for me and for those who have accepted JESUS as their LORD and SAVIOR in heaven right now, because HE loves us so very much.

   And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with ME that you also may be where I am. John 14:3

     

     

   "Therefore we do not lose heart.  Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.  For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."  II Cor. 4:16-18.

    Even though Darlene's outward man, like all of us, is perishing, yet inward she has been renewed day by day and that "good view" with her eyes on JESUS has helped Arthur and Darlene to not look at the things which are seen, but the things which are not seen.  It takes spiritual eyes, that only GOD can give us to help us to "view" the things that are not seen, like heaven.  It usually takes suffering to help us see JESUS more real than we've ever seen HIM before.  Sweet Arthur texted me that late one night he was reading Psalms over his precious wife, and that he had seen JESUS.  Not physically, but with spiritual eyes, JESUS had revealed himself to Arthur in his darkest night and Arthur's joy was overflowing in HIS presence.

     A few years ago, my heart was broken over a friendship that I desired very much and I had been rejected by this person.   I cried and cried, and our family went to Gatlinburg later on in the week.  I will never forget through my brokenness, how the LORD revealed HIMself so precious to me in so many different ways on that trip... the reality of HIS presence was so real and so near to me in my brokenness that I will never forget the sense of HIS Presence.  Truly "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

   I didn't really know which way I was going to go when I started out writing this email, but once again the LORD has led me to share a glimpse into the beautiful relationship that Arthur and Darlene have with each other and with our LORD JESUS CHRIST.  What is it that makes Arthur love his wife enough to lay down HIS life for her...it's the power of the Cross and only JESUS can give us a heart of love to pour ourselves out for others to the end of ourselves and beyond.

Love is the Power of the Cross

-- 

What is it that makes the young man devote himself, as a missionary, to the cause of God, to leave father and mother, and go into distant lands? It is a thing of power that does it; it is the gospel. What is it that constrains the far away minister, in the midst of cholera, to climb up that creaking staircase, and stand by the bed of some dying creature who has that tragic disease? It must be a thing of power which leads him to risk his life; it is love of the cross of Christ which urges him to do it. What is that which enables one man to stand up before a multitude of his fellows, all unprepared it may be, but determined that he will speak nothing but Christ, and Him crucified? What is it that enables him to cry, like the war horse of Job, in battle, Yes! and more glorious in might? It is a thing of power that does it—it is Christ crucified.
What encourages that timid female to walk down that dark road some wet evening, that she may go and sit by the victim of a contagious fever? What strengthens her to go through that den of thieves, and pass by the depraved and perverted? What influences her to enter into that house of death, and there sit down and whisper words of comfort? Does gold make her do it? They are to poor to give her gold. Does fame make her do it? She will never be known nor written among the mighty women of this earth. What makes her do it? What impels her to it? It is the power, the thing of power; it is the cross of Christ—she loves it, and she therefore says, Were the whole realm of nature mine, As a present it would be far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.
—Charles H. Spurgeon

       "LORD Crucified, give me a heart like THINE,

       Teach me to love the dying souls of men,

         And keep my heart in closest touch with THEE

           And give me love, pure Calvary love

             To win the lost for THEE. " 

                                   -Hannah Hurnard, Hearing Heart

    "HE died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for HIM who died for them and was raised again." 2 Cor. 5:15

    JESUS CHRIST is our Bridegroom, and as Arthur has laid down his life for Darlene in so many ways, JESUS laid down HIS for us on the Cross, and continues to as HE lovingly plans for us, and prepares for us:

     

 "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what GOD has prepared for those who love HIM -these things GOD has revealed to us through the SPIRIT." I Cor. 2:9-10

     HE orchestrates our circumstances to bring us into a more intimate relationship with HIM and much of the time it involves suffering to draw us nearer to HIS precious side.  HE kisses us with the kisses of HIS lips and HE longs to draw us close to HIM, and lovingly and tenderly care for us.  HE longs to whisper into our ear HIS love for us, and sing over us as it says in Zephaniah 3:17

     "The LORD your GOD in your midst, The MIGHTY ONE will save: HE will rejoice over you with gladness, HE will quiet you with HIS love, HE will rejoice over you with singing." 

    JESUS cannot look upon sin, and HE cannot have an intimate relationship with us unless we have repented of our sin and trusted HIM to heal us of our sin sickness by the precious blood HE shed for you and for me on the Cross.  I invite you today, if you've never come to JESUS, "Just as You Are" and ask HIM to forgive you and save you to be HIS forever.  HE loves us so much and cares for us so very tenderly, even more than Arthur cares so tenderly for his precious wife.  Invite HIM into your life, and HE will come and live inside you through HIS HOLY SPIRIT, where HE will never, never, never, never, never leave us or forsake us. Hebrews 13:5.   Elisabeth Elliot (www.elisabethelliot.org) wrote that the way that verse is written in the Greek it emphasizes the "never" 5 times.  Some husbands who leave their wives and forsake them, but JESUS will never, never, never, never, never leave us or forsake us...and HE will go with us when we go through the deep waters, and through the fire. 

     "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned. Nor shall the flame scorch you.  for I am the LORD your GOD. For I am the LORD your GOD. The HOLY ONE of Israel, your SAVIOR;  I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place.  Since you were precious in MY sight, You have been honored, and I have loved you." Is. 43:1-4

  

     JESUS does love us so very much, even when in our view things don't look good on earth and all we can see is ashes.  HE uses these trials to  sharpen our view of HIM and heaven and draw our eyes to the unseen, to HIM, HIS WORD, heaven, and the New Jerusalem, and things to come and things that are happening all around us as foretold in the Bible thousands of years ago. 


"Look upon Zion, the city of our appointed feasts; Your eyes will see Jerusalem, a quiet home, A tabernacle that will not be taken down; Not one of its stakes will ever be removed, Nor will any of its cords be broken.  But there the majestic LORD will be for us A place of broad rivers and streams...and the inhabitant will not say, "I am sick"; the people who dwell in it will be forgiven their iniquity." Isaiah 33:20, 24






This very day  the United Nations is meeting to discuss dividiving the land of Israel.   We are reading through Isaiah in our Daily Bible reading, and I am amazed at how the things I read about Israel coming together as a nation has already happened and  the groundwork is being laid for JESUS to come back and rule and reign in the New Jerusalem. These are exciting days for us to be living in, keep your eyes on JESUS, on Israel, and how GOD is lovingly caring for them and protecting them from their enemies, just as HE promises all throughout HIS WORD...see Psalm 83.  A few websites that help me to understand what's going on are:  (www.johnmcternan.name),  (www.watch.org) and (www.olivetreeviews.org). I believe JESUS's return could be very soon, as the signs of HIS coming are all around us.  One of those signs is the rebuilding of the Temple as foretold in Rev. 11:1-2.  Here is article that a friend posted earlier this week on FB about the rebuilding of the Temple.  I hope that you can see it .http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/148029#.TnfM2zHsM8d.facebook.  You can also sign up for free daily emails to help keep abreast what is going on in Israel on that site.   It's really amazing when you read over and over in Scripture how much the LORD loves Israel and HIS plans for them and for HIS Bride the Church in the last days...HE is their Keeper and Protector and they are the Apple of HIS eye. 

     "For I will defend this city, to save it for MY own sake and for MY servant David's sake." Isaiah 37:35

      GOD really has given us "a good view" to understand the times, through the reading of HIS WORD.  The book of Isaiah is an amazing book as GOD gave us a view into the future when HE wrote those words through the prophet Isaiah, times that we are living in right now.  "Jerusalem," is an awesome song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eSdop0rG7Y&NR=1sung by the Hoppers, (Tim Greene's sis, Kim Greene Hopper sings  the lead  so beautifully) a place that "John saw" or viewed way down in the future to him, but not to us in the book of Revelation when he was imprisoned on the Island of Patmos....the New Jerusalem, the City of GOD,  where we will live with JESUS one day and rule and reign with HIM forever and ever...Hallelujah what a SAVIOR, what a KING!  In the meantime keep your eyes focused on JESUS, and for HIM coming for HIS CHURCH.

1Thessalonians 4:16,17 For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (18)Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

      I pray that your heart will be encouraged as you read these words, and that you and I will ask GOD to help us to view our circumstances and the the things going on in the world from HIS view, not ours, to give us HIS eyes to see, HIS heart to feel the pain and compassion of others, and HIS ears to hear and discern what others are going through and the signs of the times.       I used the song "Blessings,"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOOFAaUGfRE&feature=player_embedded by Laura Story a few months ago, and feel led to use it again.  It has a message of viewing "blessings," differently than we ordinarily do, such as trials, being GOD's mercies in disguise. I've also included her story behind the song where she shares how GOD uses our trials to make focus our eyes  upon HIM and HIS WORD http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjB2skJi2co&NR=1more than we do than we times are easier.   GOD certainly used John's trials isolated on the Island of Patmos to help him view the things of heaven and HE uses your trials and mine to do the same...to view the eternal instead of that which is temporary.  I pray you will be blessed as you watch and listen to this beautiful song. 

     Please remember my dear friends, Arthur and Darlene and their family in your prayers.  Please pray for the peace of Israel ,  Psalm 122, and for Prime Minister Netanyahu as he readies for a showdown with Abbas at the United Nations today.  Please pray for Taranda Greene, Tim, Kim and their whole family as it will be a year this week that Tony unexpectedly went to be with JESUS. Please remember Jordan Johnson in your prayers, the son of our former pastor who fell over 30 feet this week at work, and has already had multiple surgeries and will be in rehab for several weeks. Please remember his dear parents as they watch their dear son go through this painful process, and courageously praise the LORD in the midst of the storm. Thank you for remembering our family in your prayers...John Mac should hear this week if he got accepted to the early entrance program at UAB, i've got another round of parasite medicine to go and I need your prayers for healing, patience, a renewed view of CHRIST's love for me daily, and courage as I wait on the LORD to bring healing to my body....we all need one another's prayers and i need yours.   I love you and thank GOD for you and your dear prayers and your dear encouragement to my heart...thank you for giving me the privilege to pray for you.  

                                                                                        With all HIS love,

                                                                                               mitzi

"Men ought always to pray and not to faint." Luke 18:11

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOOFAaUGfRE&feature=player_embedded "Blessings"

"But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to GOD and does not come from us." 2 Cor. 4:7

"Be Still My Soul, the LORD is on Your Side"

"Be still and know that I Am GOD." Psalm 46:10

Dear Praying Friends and Family,

       Earlier this week, i went and visited my friend Darlene in the hospital.  I have been asking ya'll to pray for her and her family as she suffers with cancer, and I ask you again to pray for her, that her platelets will go up and she can get back on her medicine, and for renewed strength for her and her dear husband.  When i walked into the room, Darlene was sitting in a chair with the sweetest smile on her face.  Arthur, her husband, was there with her as he has been with her every step of this journey, and at the time, i had no idea the incredible pain that Darlene was in.  I asked her how she was feeling, and it's one of the few times she admitted to being in a lot of pain to me.  I told her the LORD must be so pleased with HIS dear child, even in the midst of her suffering, she still was bravely smiling, and ministering to me with her courage and sweet smile.  Arthur said he was pleased with her.  She asked me to pray for her, and we did, and then, it wasn't long when she said she needed to get up and walk around.  Her precious husband knew the routine, and had me unplug the IV, and we took all the pillows from around Darlene and helped her to her feet.  She and Arthur walked around the room there with him pushing the IV, and me trailing behind.  It wasn't long before she was ready to get back in the bed, and Arthur lovingly arranged all the pillows and got the head of the bed, and the feet of the bed just where she needed it.  How many times had he done that for her through this journey and even that day? He was ever so patient and kind and tender.  As Darlene lay in the bed, Arthur and I talked and it's amazing when you are in a very difficult situation, you don't talk about a bunch of lighthearted small talk.  We talked about the LORD, and HIS comfort to us, and we talked of longing for HIS return to come soon and the signs all around us that HIS coming could be any day.  Please read the sermon below from Joel Rosenburg to help you understand why JESUS could come at any time.  There's nothing like suffering to make you long for heaven, and for the return of JESUS.  It may be selfish to want out of our suffering, but one of the reasons the LORD allows suffering into our lives is to make us long for HIM and heaven more.  I pray that if you haven't accepted CHRIST as your LORD and SAVIOR that you will do that today even as you read this email.   The time for JESUS return for HIS church by those who really study Bible prophecy, such as Joel Rosenburg,  warn us that JESUS could come back for HIS bride any day...don't be left behind to go through the terrible time of tribulation here on earth.  The stage is being set all around us for the terrible tribulation we read about in the Revelation 6.

       As Arthur and I talked, Darlene lay quietly in the bed beside him.  The nurses came in and gave Darlene more pain medicine.  A friend called to see if he could come up and Darlene said she felt like she could take a nap so Arthur was going to meet him in the lobby.  Arthur led us in a prayer, and about that time the friend knocked on the door.  I went out, and he introduced himself, and i realized that he was the husband of Jean Brinkley, whom i've also been asking you to pray for who was recently diagnosed with cancer.  Bill, Jean's husband, is in the same Sunday School class with Arthur and he has been such a dear encourager to Arthur during this long difficult journey...now these two men, were in the similar situations, and they were encouraging one another.  I walked out to answer the door, and ended up walking down with Arthur and Bill to the lobby of the hospital where I hugged Arthur bye and told him i love them.  When i started to get on the elevator downstairs to go to the parking garage the LORD brought the words of a song to my mind that I had been listening to over the weekend, "Be Still My Soul, the LORD is on your side." I realized that I hadn't told Darlene goodbye the way I wanted to since i went to the door and walked down with the men, and I felt compelled to go back and share those words with her, and tell her goodbye.  I rode the elevator back up to the seventh floor, and walked to her room where she was laying quietly in the darkened room.  She heard me, and I told her i didn't tell her bye, and she said i did, but i wanted to really tell her and I kissed her on the forehead, and told her about the song that the LORD had brought to me for her...."Be still my soul, the LORD is on your side.  She asked me if I would sing it to her, and I couldn't remember anything but the first line.  So i sang what i could remember and hummed a few bars.  One of the sweet ways the LORD has comforted Darlene through this journey is her husband singing hymns to her.  He had the hymn book right there in the hospital room with them where he had been singing earlier in the day.  She smiled at me,  when i couldn't remember the words, in her precious way.  It didn't matter that i couldn't remember the words, the important thing is that she remember the LORD was on her side and HE loves her so very much.

    I have never suffered the way that Darlene is suffering, but what the LORD has allowed me to go through, it's so important for me to be reminded over and over to "Be Still and know that HE is GOD," and that HE is on my side.  I want to remind you of that today who may be struggling and suffering in a difficult place...we all need to be reminded of that when we go through trials and tribulations.      I don't know how else to write but to be honest...this song, this verse, is really ministering to me where the LORD has me walking and perhaps some of you.  I ask you to pray for me as i took some medicine this week, and as everything else i have taken in recent months, it accelerated the anxious feelings that i have been dealing with and made me very uncomfortable all over my body, especially in my back. I took an IV yesterday hoping that it would help me take the medicine better, but the detoxing of it has been really uncomfortable today.  I know that my "sufferings," are not worthy to be compared to those around me,  especially my friend Darlene and Jean, and Sherry Moss who son suddenly died last week.  But as Elisabeth Elliot said, Suffering is anything we have that we don't want, or anything we want that we don't have," and i can assure you i don't want this  uncomfortableness in my life.  Elisabeth Elliot  prayed, "Teach me to treat all that comes to me with peace of soul, and with firm conviction that YOUR will governs all. In unforeseen events let me not forget that all are sent by YOU."  So I would ask for your prayers, that I would accept these circumstances the LORD has engineered for me, and  "Be still, and know that HE is GOD."  Pray that I will remember HE is working this for my good and HIS glory, and perhaps in someway, for the good of others, and I sure wouldn't mind you asking the LORD to heal me.  In fact I would really appreciate it.  HE is the Potter, i am the clay, i am reminded as i type....LORD, help me to surrender to what YOU are doing as YOU "mold me and make me after YOUR will, while I am waiting yielded and still."  Don't think i've gotten the yielded and still part down yet, but the LORD is so patient with HIS kicking and screaming child who doesn't like pain and wants out of it as fast as possible. This morning HE encouraged my heart greatly as I read Psalm 107 and once again, HE reminded me of HIS past deliverance's of me and my family and of Israel and that HE will do it again:

     "Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and HE saved them out of their distresses.  HE sent HIS WORD and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.  Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for HIS goodness, and for HIS wonderful works to the children of men!  Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare HIS works with rejoicing." Psalm 107:19-22.

    

     How comforting to my heart for the LORD to remind me of HIS past deliverance's in my life and there have been so many.   I want to thank HIM and praise HIM for HIS goodness and HIS wonderful works to me and my family and offer to HIM the sacrifices of thanksgiving in the midst of this trial.   I sure do see my friends Arthur and Darlene, and Sherry, thanking GOD over and over in the midst of their great suffering and praising HIS name. I am so humbled by their example.

   HE also reminded me earlier in the week through Ps. 84:6 that we are passing through our trials and HE gives us HIS strength to make it through these valleys that sometimes seem endless:  "As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a spring; the rain also covers it with pools.  They go from strength to strength:  Each one appears before GOD in Zion."    

     

     HE also encouraged me greatly from Zeph. 3:17 how much HE loves me and how much HE loves you and how much HE loves Israel.

      "The LORD your GOD in your midst, the MIGHTY ONE, will save;

     HE will rejoice over you with gladness, HE will quiet you with HIS love,

     HE will rejoice over you with singing." 

    As I write these words, I think of how Arthur has been sweetly singing over his wife, and quieting her with his love, and rejoicing over Darlene....saying he was pleased with her.   How much more our perfect HUSBAND, GOD rejoices over us with gladness, quiets us with HIS love, and rejoices over us with singing.  If HE gave HIS only SON for us, how much more will HE freely give us all things.

"He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" Romans 8:32

    As I spent that time with the LORD this morning, seems like HE just spoke HIS love to me in a way that i have never realized before, and I basked in the wonder of HIS unconditional love for me. 

     "For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whosovever believeth in HIM shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

    As I close, i want to share with you the  powerful song,  "Be Still, My Soul."  I  read on cyberhymnal, www.cyberhymal.org/htm/b/e/bestill.htm  that this hymn was the favorite of Eric Liddell, the athlete who became famous in the 1924 Olympics for refusing to run on the Sabbath.  Liddell later became a missionary to China, and was imprisoned during World War II.  It is said that he taught this hymn to others in the prison camp where he eventually died of a  brain tumor.  The words are powerful, and "Selah," sings it so beautifully.  I hope that you will take time to listen and your heart will be encouraged as mine is  to"Be Still My Soul, the LORD is on your Side..." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9zHn4QSH-8"

   Thank you for remembering Arthur and Darlene and their whole family in your prayers. Their son, Jeremy is 22, Natalie is a senior in high school this year, and then little Philip is in the third grade.   Their faith in JESUS is precious...and they are trusting the LORD through their weak and weary bodies.  Please pray the LORD will do a miracle and bring healing to Darlene...pray for their strength and courage and for peace.

    Thank you for your prayers for our family.  John Mac had his interview at UAB and he felt like it went pretty well.  He should know something in a couple weeks if he is one of the 10-12 that was selected for the early entrance program. Hannah Beth had three nursing tests this week, so she is off and running...rather off and studying.  Please continue to remember her.   Thank you for your prayers for Johnny and for me.  Thank you for spending this time with me... and may we all remember "Be still my soul, the LORD is on your side."                                   

                                                                                  With all HIS love,

                                                                                        mitzi

                                           "Be still, my soul, the LORD is on thy side.

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy GOD to order and provide;

In every change, HE faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul:  thy best, thy heavenly FRIEND

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul:  thy GOD doth undertake

To guide the future, as HE has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still my soul:  the waves and winds still know

HIS voice WHO ruled them while HE dwelt below.

Be still, my soul:  when dearest friends depart,

And all is darkened in the vale of tears,

Then shalt thou better know HIS love, HIS heart,

WHO come to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.

Be still, my soul: thy JESUS can repay

From HIS own fulness all HE takes away.

Be still, my soul, the hour is hastening on

When we shall be forever with the LORD.

When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul:  when change and tears are past

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

 -Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)   

      

This is a great sermon Joel Rosenburg delivered this past Sunday evening at the Wake Up, America event with Anne Graham Lotz.  Please pray for Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netenyahu as the United Nations is meeting in the next few days to try and divide Israel's land.   Pray our leaders will stand by Israel not to do this. GOD is Israel's DEFENDER and we will see HIS great protection of them as HE promised in HIS WORD, and we will also see HIS great judgement against those who come against Israel...see Psalm 83.

Joel Rosenburg's sermon "4 Reasons Why GOD is Shaking America and the World" Scroll down under the first article about Benjamin Netenyahu addressing the United Nations.

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--

"Men ought always to pray and not to faint." Luke 18:11

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2ULhi1szjk

"I Need THEE Every Hour"

                             

                                   "But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may made clear that this extraordinary power
                                      belongs to GOD and does not come from us." 2 Cor. 4:7
                      

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