"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus i fight: not as one who beats the air. But i discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when i have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." I Cor.9:24-27
http://dl2.cbn.com/Stream_
Dear Praying Friends and Family,
Wow, it's really snowing outside as i write on a cold and blustery winter afternoon...
It's been a great week for football here in the State of Alabama as you can imagine with Alabama winning the National Championship for the second time in three years! We had a great time as a family Monday night as our whole family, including my Mother in law, gathered around our TV to watch the game, while many of our friends and some of our family, my nephew Dallas and his wife Laurie, had the privilege of being there in New Orleans to watch it live. We had a mixture of Auburn and Alabama fans in our crowd as we watched on TV and we rooted the Tide on, almost united:). GOD really blessed Alabama's hard work and preparation to win against LSU. It was the first time LSU has not scored in a long, long time in a game, and the last time that happened it was against Alabama. Congratulations to the Tide on an AWESOME game Monday night! It's fun to live in a state with such well coached football teams, who prepare their teams so thoroughly week in and week out to play their best to win. We had four players from our local high school participating in the National Championship game...three on the Alabama team, and one on the LSU team. One of the young men, William Ming, attends our church, where he grew up, and his family is very faithful and well respected in our community. We rejoice with them, in William's second time to be on a National Championship team...that is amazing! Whether it's Alabama or Auburn who won the National Championship last year, it's humbling and amazing that GOD has shown HIS favor and allowed our state's teams to do so well. I know they have worked very hard to "run in such a way to obtain the crown," and with GOD's favor and blessing they won the Championship and that beautiful crystal football. I know the hardship that our state went through this past year, including Tuscaloosa that was hit so very hard by the tornadoes last April, made the victory that much more sweeter, and helps to keep the victory in perspective that it is a perishable crown...there is a crown that is for more important...the imperishable crown of winning souls for CHRIST JESUS.
We have heard and read so much about Tim Tebow in recent weeks, and what an awesome victory the LORD blessed the Denver Bronco's with over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first play of overtime last Sunday night. Tim Tebow threw a pass and the receiver ran it all the way down the field for a touchdown!!! Wow...we have a nation that is Tim Tebow crazy and many are realizing that something really supernatural is going on when they looked at Tim's total passing yards at 316 last week, and he averaged passing 31.6 yards per pass...many know that Tim unashamedly wore John 3:16 in the National Championship game when he played at Florida and over 90 million hits were made on the internet as people flocked to their computers to see what that verse said:
"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
You can't read any news lately without Tim Tebow being in the midst of it...yesterday on Drudge it had an article saying Tebow was the most popular athlete in the U.S.. I read an article earlier this week about him being a "Mom, Phenom," cause Mom's like me are watching football in droves to cheer Tim Tebow and his team on and using him as a role model for our kids, and ourselves! One of the best articles http://www.
“Football is amazing. We love it. We're so passionate about it,” Tebow said in his postgame news conference Sunday. “But the real win, at least I would say today, is being able to comfort a girl who has gone through 73 surgeries before the game and get a chance to go hang out with her now.
“That's the biggest win of the day. They're both exciting, but that's what I'm even more proud of."
Wow, talk about running to receive the prize...Tim Tebow reminds us what is most important in this life, and it's not the perishable crown, but the imperishable one where our lives are hidden in CHRIST JESUS, and HE lives HIS life through us everyday, wherever our platform is, to reach out to others with HIS love. Tim Tebow's platform is football right now, but GOD has given you and me our own circumstances and platform to "run the race in such a way as to win the crown..." Hope you can take time to watch Tim's testimony here...he is "running to win."
http://dl2.cbn.com/Stream_
Speaking of "running to win," last week, when i wrote you, i told you i ask you to pray for wisdom and guidance concerning some upcoming decisions we had in our family...thank you so much for praying for us. This week i can share what that prayer request was about since it's official now...my husband has decided to run for Circuit Court Clerk of Limestone County http://www.decaturdaily.com/stories/Retiring-circuit-clerk-expecting-exciting-race,89993?content_source=&category_id=&search_fil . Charles Page who has been a long time friend of both sides of our family, has been the Circuit Court Clerk for 4 terms and has decided to retire when his term is up. It wasn't but a couple of weeks ago that my husband first mentioned that he and his brother had been talking about the possibility of Johnny running for office. I was surprised, (GOD is full of surprises:)... cause running for a political office was one of those "never's" Johnny said he wouldn't do, along with being a bivocational pastor, and running a restaurant of which he has done both:). If there is one thing we have learned in our marriage it's never to say "I will never do so and so." Seems like GOD just kind of delights in showing us different than what we have our minds set on:).
If any of you are like me and you are wondering what does the Circuit Court Clerk does, i can read to you out of our local newspaper this week what the job description is:
"As Circuit Court clerk, he serves as the business manager for the trial courts, handling millions of dollars annually. He is the custodian of records and is the chief magistrate, absentee election manager and passport agent. His duties also include jury orientation, management, excuses and payment for service."
Earlier this week as i was praying about the "race," that is set before us for the next 8 weeks at least, (the primary is March 13th), i started thinking about how GOD had prepared him for this race, and hopefully to serve in this position. Johnny grew up literally "in jail," as he starts his testimony off, from the time he was 6 until he was 13. It was a state law back then that the sheriff's family had to live in the jail. He was constantly around law enforcement growing up, going out on calls with his Dad, and other deputies, and serving as a reserve State Trooper. His Mom and Dad were great examples pouring out their lives serving those who were in need. The most important qualification is the LORD reached down and saved my husband when he was 25 years old from his sins, and he gave Johnny a new heart, and a desire to serve the LORD in whatever way the LORD led him. When he was 27 or so he felt the LORD calling him to be a foreign missionary, and Johnny went back to school finished his degree in Business Administration and Personnel Psychology, while he continued working full time as a security guard for General Motors. He was making real good money, but he said "yes," to the call of the LORD and after finishing his college degree in 1986, he retired from GM after 10 years and continued on to seminary where he got his Master's of Divinity of Degree. While pursuing that degree, he was an Associate Pastor at Beverly Hill's Baptist Church in Ft. Worth, and then later became pastor of Indian Grave Baptist Church in Billingsley, Alabama.
It was at Indian Grave Baptist that my health issues mushroomed when our children were barely two and a newborn. As much as we hated to leave the pastorate, we felt the need to move home to be closer to our family to help with the children during my time of extreme distress. I will always appreciate my husband caring for me and putting my needs ahead of his desire to be a pastor. After moving home, which we thought would be a temporary move, he joined the family restaurant business...one of those "nevers," i mentioned. During that time, he was active as an elder, at Elkmont Baptist ,then after 6 years when we went to First Baptist, Athens, he was on the Business and Finance committee. He helped to make wise decisions how to spend the large sums of money the people gave each week for the ministry of the Church. A few years later he started a church, while continuing to work in the restaurant business doing the payroll and being general manager doing whatever needs to be done (another "never,"he said he'd never do). He continued pastoring for about a year an a half until the LORD led us to join another New Life Baptist Church in Madison where we were with other dear homeschool families during our children's junior high and high school years. GOD nurtured us there on HIS WORD through pastor Andy's teaching and John Mac met his future wife. As the LORD would have it, GOD led me and Johnny back to First Baptist after the kids graduated high school. During that time he and his brother established a bail bonding business, to go along with the restaurant business. Though Johnny is on call 24 hours a day, he never complains, and goes up to the jail all hours of the night and day to bond people out. When he first went into that business i was surprised again (GOD is full of surprises) but I wasn't surprised too because of his love for law enforcement and it gives him a chance to witness to folks whose hearts are usually softer because they have gotten in trouble. Johnny shares CHRIST where the LORD JESUS opens the door for him whether it be in the pulpit, talking with someone at the restaurant about the LORD, or one of their work release workers, or someone he is bonding out of jail. He uses the "platforms" GOD has given him to be a faithful witness for CHRIST.
It was at Indian Grave Baptist that my health issues mushroomed when our children were barely two and a newborn. As much as we hated to leave the pastorate, we felt the need to move home to be closer to our family to help with the children during my time of extreme distress. I will always appreciate my husband caring for me and putting my needs ahead of his desire to be a pastor. After moving home, which we thought would be a temporary move, he joined the family restaurant business...one of those "nevers," i mentioned. During that time, he was active as an elder, at Elkmont Baptist ,then after 6 years when we went to First Baptist, Athens, he was on the Business and Finance committee. He helped to make wise decisions how to spend the large sums of money the people gave each week for the ministry of the Church. A few years later he started a church, while continuing to work in the restaurant business doing the payroll and being general manager doing whatever needs to be done (another "never,"he said he'd never do). He continued pastoring for about a year an a half until the LORD led us to join another New Life Baptist Church in Madison where we were with other dear homeschool families during our children's junior high and high school years. GOD nurtured us there on HIS WORD through pastor Andy's teaching and John Mac met his future wife. As the LORD would have it, GOD led me and Johnny back to First Baptist after the kids graduated high school. During that time he and his brother established a bail bonding business, to go along with the restaurant business. Though Johnny is on call 24 hours a day, he never complains, and goes up to the jail all hours of the night and day to bond people out. When he first went into that business i was surprised again (GOD is full of surprises) but I wasn't surprised too because of his love for law enforcement and it gives him a chance to witness to folks whose hearts are usually softer because they have gotten in trouble. Johnny shares CHRIST where the LORD JESUS opens the door for him whether it be in the pulpit, talking with someone at the restaurant about the LORD, or one of their work release workers, or someone he is bonding out of jail. He uses the "platforms" GOD has given him to be a faithful witness for CHRIST.
Earlier this week, i read this verse from 2 Corinthians 2:14 the LORD used to really encourage me in this latest "leg" of the race the LORD has set before us:
"Now thanks be unto GOD, which always causeth us to triumph in CHRIST, and maketh manifest the savour of HIS knowledge by us in every place."
Joining a political race is something that I know Johnny and I both never thought we'd be in...but it's another "platform" that GOD has given us to "maketh manifest the savour of HIS knowledge by us in every place." I also like the translation:
"...WHO diffuses by us the fragrance of the knowledge of HIM in every place."
As i thought about what people would think with Johnny running for office, i thought well, they will think he is making a mistake, being a preacher in the past and now getting into politics. I worried about that, but when the LORD reminded me through our pastor's wife, that "the ministry" is anywhere the LORD puts us, it made me feel a lot better that she understood. These words from Charles Spurgeon from Morning and Evening, Jan 12 are also a great encouragement that GOD uses us where HE will to "diffuse the fragrance of the knowledge of HIM in every place" and shine forth HIS light through us:
"...WHO diffuses by us the fragrance of the knowledge of HIM in every place."
As i thought about what people would think with Johnny running for office, i thought well, they will think he is making a mistake, being a preacher in the past and now getting into politics. I worried about that, but when the LORD reminded me through our pastor's wife, that "the ministry" is anywhere the LORD puts us, it made me feel a lot better that she understood. These words from Charles Spurgeon from Morning and Evening, Jan 12 are also a great encouragement that GOD uses us where HE will to "diffuse the fragrance of the knowledge of HIM in every place" and shine forth HIS light through us:
A City Set Upon a Hill
"I have yet to speak on God's behalf."
--Job 36:2
--Job 36:2
We ought not to court publicity for our virtue, or notoriety for our zeal; but, at the same time, it is a sin to be always seeking to hide that which God has bestowed upon us for the good of others. A Christian is not to be a village in a valley, but "a city set upon a hill;" he is not to be a candle under a bushel, but a candle in a candlestick, giving light to all. Retirement may be lovely in its season, and to hide one's self is doubtless modest, but the hiding of Christ in us can never be justified, and the keeping back of truth which is precious to ourselves is a sin against others and an offence against God. If you are of a nervous temperament and of retiring disposition, take care that you do not too much indulge this trembling propensity, lest you should be useless to the church. Seek in the name of Him who was not ashamed of you to do some little violence to your feelings, and tell to others what Christ has told to you. If thou canst not speak with trumpet tongue, use the still small voice. If the pulpit must not be thy tribune, if the press may not carry on its wings thy words, yet say with Peter and John, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee."
By Sychar's well talk to the Samaritan woman, if thou canst not on the mountain preach a sermon; utter the praises of Jesus in the house, if not in the temple; in the field, if not upon the exchange; in the midst of thine own household, if thou canst not in the midst of the great family of man. From the hidden springs within let sweetly flowing rivulets of testimony flow forth, giving drink to every passer-by. Hide not thy talent; trade with it; and thou shalt bring in good interest to thy Lord and Master. To speak for God will be refreshing to ourselves, cheering to saints, useful to sinners, and honouring to the Saviour. Dumb children are an affliction to their parents. Lord, unloose all Thy children's tongue.
The Bible has some encouraging words to my heart to help me trust GOD's paths for us when they come as a surprise:
- Man's steps are ordained by the LORD, How then can man understand his way? Proverbs 20:24
- "The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9
- "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Jeremiah 10:23
And the wonderful verse from Proverbs 3:5-6 that is an anchor for so many of us:
"Trust in the LORD with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge HIM and He will direct your paths."
Well, i'm holding on, trusting LORD knows what He's doing, and excited about the next 8 weeks of this race. I am having to trust the LORD for my strength, and i ask you to pray for my husband's strength, wisdom, for GOD's favor in the heart of the voters and that we would manifest the savour of HIS knowledge in every place," most importantly. I am looking forward to "running" together with my husband in this race. If there is anything i have learned from my dear Mother in law's example...is her husband's success as Coroner, and then Sheriff for 16 years in our country was largely in part to her great campaigning...my Mother in law "NEVER," meets a stranger and makes you feel very warm and welcome the first time that you meet her. She also was blessed was abounding energy when he was running, which i haven't been, but i am depending on the LORD grace and favor, and your prayers and help to us, in whatever way the LORD might lay it upon your hearts.
Monday night as we sat on our couch watching the National Championship game, my Mother in law asked me if she could tell me a few things: I said sure, and she said, "You know behind every good man is a good woman. I told her i knew that she was behind Pop's being so successful to run for office." She told me to be patient with my husband during this time, and every day to watch the newspapers to see events that he and i could go to campaign. She also told me to keep a notebook and pen beside the phone and write down all the calls and be careful remind Johnny of important calls...she knows i am subject to forget things:). What a blessing to be "coached," by this "Champion" who has gone before me. I am humbled that GOD chose me to be the daughter in law of this remarkable woman who had poured her life into helping her husband be successful in serving the people of our county. Pop is no longer with us, having gone to be with JESUS last Oct. 6th, but i will never forget the awe of "Sheriff" Buddy Evans when i was growing up as a little girl, and the wonderful privilege that GOD chose me to be a part of this special family. My Mother in law and my husband knows what it feels like to be on both sides of the fence...to win and to lose, as my Daddy in law lost two elections in his latter years. Feeling rejection is not a pleasant experience and that is a "Giant," we have to face in this race. We all have "Giants," in our races that the LORD sets before us, and have to trust HIM to help us to defeat. The verse from 2 Corinthians 2:14 brought peace to my soul...we will triumph in CHRIST, no matter what the outcome of the election is, as long as we keep our focus to "manifest the savour of HIS knowledge by us in every place." It's a win/win race...and as my husband prayed this morning we want to "run" in such a way that we will be witnesses for CHRIST to those around us.
Monday night as we sat on our couch watching the National Championship game, my Mother in law asked me if she could tell me a few things: I said sure, and she said, "You know behind every good man is a good woman. I told her i knew that she was behind Pop's being so successful to run for office." She told me to be patient with my husband during this time, and every day to watch the newspapers to see events that he and i could go to campaign. She also told me to keep a notebook and pen beside the phone and write down all the calls and be careful remind Johnny of important calls...she knows i am subject to forget things:). What a blessing to be "coached," by this "Champion" who has gone before me. I am humbled that GOD chose me to be the daughter in law of this remarkable woman who had poured her life into helping her husband be successful in serving the people of our county. Pop is no longer with us, having gone to be with JESUS last Oct. 6th, but i will never forget the awe of "Sheriff" Buddy Evans when i was growing up as a little girl, and the wonderful privilege that GOD chose me to be a part of this special family. My Mother in law and my husband knows what it feels like to be on both sides of the fence...to win and to lose, as my Daddy in law lost two elections in his latter years. Feeling rejection is not a pleasant experience and that is a "Giant," we have to face in this race. We all have "Giants," in our races that the LORD sets before us, and have to trust HIM to help us to defeat. The verse from 2 Corinthians 2:14 brought peace to my soul...we will triumph in CHRIST, no matter what the outcome of the election is, as long as we keep our focus to "manifest the savour of HIS knowledge by us in every place." It's a win/win race...and as my husband prayed this morning we want to "run" in such a way that we will be witnesses for CHRIST to those around us.
When i was thinking about what song to use this week, the LORD brought this song from Twila Paris to mind..."Runner." http://www.
As this quote shares, it's not important that i have my health, I can "run to win," without it. What is important is that i have truly repented before CHRIST and experienced HIS love and salvation and share HIS great love with others:
The Absolute Necessity of Repentance
Posted by Erik on January 13, 2012 in Repentance
You live in a world of cheating, imposition, and deception. Let no man deceive you about the necessity of repentance. Oh, that professing Christians would see, and know, and feel, more than they do—the necessity, the absolute necessity, of true repentance towards God! There are many things which are not needful. Riches are not needful. Health is not needful. Fine clothes are not needful. Noble friends are not needful. The favor of the world is not needful. Gifts and learning are not needful. Millions have reached heaven without these things. Thousands are reaching heaven every year without them. But no one ever reached heaven without “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”
~ J.C. Ryle
Old Paths, “Repentance”, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1999], 414.
I love you, dear friends and family...and you are so very dear...thank you for spending this time with me, and i pray the LORD will use it to encourage you and inspire you in the place GOD has you "Running to Win," that imperishable crown. Please remember in your prayers my nephew Dusty, an Alabama alumni:), who will be voted on this Weds night at Willowbrook Baptist
http://www.willowbrook.org/mediafiles/january-15-newsletter.pdf to be their minister to preteens and middle school. What a privilege to watch as GOD has had his hand on Dusty for so many years, as we have watched him grow and mature in the LORD and now GOD is calling him to minister in this position. GOD has been using Dusty all along, as a high school student he ministered to the younger kids, as a college student he discipled his fellow college students, as a recruiter for UAH he continued to disciple and minister, and now GOD has given him this platform to minister for HIM through Willowbrook Baptist Church. Dusty is "running to win," and is a great example of a godly, disciplined young man who has his focus on what is truly important-knowing CHRIST and making HIM known to others. Praise the LORD...and what a great job GOD has done through my brother Joe (another Alabama alumni) and his sweet wife, Marilyn to raise up this godly young man. We are so thankful for all that GOD is doing in the lives of our nieces and nephews. We enjoyed gathering last Friday night at a Mexican restaurant to meet our nephew Drew's girlfriend as they were on their way back from Indiana to LSU where my nephew is in graduate school. In addition to meeting Drew's sweet gal, we congratulated my niece Melissa on her recent marriage, while others congratulated my son on his engagement to his fiance. With two Alabama graduates in the gathering and my nephew attending LSU, we all had a wonderful time of fellowship-now that is triumphing in CHRIST!!!
With all HIS love,
mitzi
"We're on a pilgrim road. It's rough and steep, and it winds uphill to the very end. We can lift up our eyes and see the unseen: a Celestial City, a light, a welcome, and an ineffable face. And that makes a difference in how we go about aging." Elisabeth Elliot, www.elisabethelliot.org
"These all...confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland." Hebrews 11:13,14
"Where Joy and Sorrow Meet"
No comments:
Post a Comment