JESUS: "YOUR GREAT NAME"

"And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to MYSELF." John 12:32 

    Dear Praying Friends and Family,

              

              The LORD has slowed me down today, after blessing me with great strength to go door to door in many places this week.  I praise HIM for the supernatural strength HE has given both of us to do what we can't, and for all the help HE has raised up to provide our needs in this campaign.  Every day is different, and you never know what's around the bend...

      Yesterday, my husband had planned to go door to door in the afternoon, after doing a radio show in the morning.  He received a phone call after the show that a truck was going down the main road through our city, taking down his signs, along with our opponents and the other folks running for office.  My husband had been warned as the others, that if the signs were on the right of way, they would do away with them.  Johnny made sure that his weren't on the state right of way, getting permission from the landowners and positioning them properly and they still were taken away with the others.  He and his opponent actually worked together all afternoon, trying to recover their signs and get their posts back, and making sure that this doesn't happen again.  GOD has shown me in so many ways the strength and integrity he has given my husband throughout this race, and i admire him so much.  Yesterday, when my husband went to get his own signs that were crumpled up, he rescued one of his opponents, and my brother in law returned it to him at the jail.  Those are just one of the ways, i have seen my husbands integrity throughout this campaign.  You know when you're running for office, name recognition is the "name of the game," and both Johnny and his opponent are battling to get their name out there and the signs are a big part of getting your name recognized.

    Speaking of signs, as i was campaigning yesterday i was riding my bicycle going door to door, when i started seeing our opponents signs in almost every yard as i went around the bend of a curve in a neighborhood.  I thought what's up with this, and a few houses down, a man told me that our opponents folks lived in that neighborhood.   That explained why almost every house had a sign for our opponent in their yard.   As i went on through the neighborhood, i saw a lady outside, and rode my bicycle up her driveway.  I told her who i was and gave her one of our fliers and asked her to vote for my husband.  She was very kind, and she told me about her husband dying suddenly of a heart attack last year,  but even more difficult than that was her daughter getting killed in a car wreck 6 years ago when she was 43.  The lady i was talking to didn't know that I loved JESUS, but she began talking to me about JESUS, and using the name JESUS.  She didn't say GOD, but the name of JESUS.  I thought that is so refreshing and powerful to hear the name of JESUS spoken from her lips. As we talked on, i realized what a strong faith she had in JESUS, and she talked about how much she was looking forward to going to heaven.  Somewhere along the course of the conversation, i asked her if she would like one of our yard signs and she said she would...i thought that would be great to have our sign in the midst of all these signs of our opponents.  I had left my signs in our car, and since i was on my bicycle i told her i would have to bring one back to her when i finished the neighborhood. By the time she and I finished talking about JESUS, heaven, and other things, I started having second thoughts about her having our sign in her yard.  It's like the LORD started whispering to me, that wasn't the CHRISTian thing to do to have her put up our sign, with the likihood it would cause hard feelings with her neighbors.  When i returned with the sign, i told her i didn't feel right about asking her to put up our sign, and she said it was fine with her, she didn't think her neighbors would be upset with her but if i didn't feel good about it then i shouldn't do it.  After wrestling with it a few minutes, and asking her and myself "What Would Jesus Do," i decided not to put up the sign in her yard.  The campaign will come and go, but this woman's relationship with her neighbor's was for more important to me, than us having one sign in the middle of a sea of our opponents.   I am glad the LORD gave me  self control, and the the desire to look out for my "neighbor's" interest, to not put up the sign in her yard.   

      If you've ever been involved in a political race, or voted...you know that name recognition is the name of the game and getting your name out there, is what all these crazy signs and everything else we're doing is all about... it's tempting to sin and put my own selfish motives above other's good, when i'm trying to get my husband's name out there for other's to remember.  I was tempted, and i am thankful the LORD helped me to do the right thing.  My husband has reminded me over and over that we're not trusting in how many signs are up, but in JESUS.  I thought it was interesting when JESUS brought this verse to mind to me this morning that my husband has reminded me of over and over during this campaign:

"Some trust in horses, some trust in chariots but we trust in the name of the LORD our GOD."Psalm 20:7

   I had never thought about the part the name before of that verse...trust in the name of the LORD JESUS, not me, i will disappoint you, not money, not another person, signs, or whatever, but in the name of the LORD our GOD.

   This morning as i sat on my little couch in our "Joy Room," with the heater running cozy at my feet, i read a devotion from Oswald Chamber's that once again reminded me, that JESUS is the MOST important name that is  in this race and HE wants us to do all that we can to get HIS NAME out so that 'the lost may be found and the condemned will feel no shame and our fears would have no place, and the enemy would have to leave at the sound of "YOUR GREAT NAME." 

The Delight of Sacrifice

Feb

24

2012

I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls . . . —2 Corinthians 12:15

Once “the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,” we deliberately begin to identify ourselves with Jesus Christ’s interests and purposes in others’ lives (Romans 5:5). And Jesus has an interest in every individual person. We have no right in Christian service to be guided by our own interests and desires. In fact, this is one of the greatest tests of our relationship with Jesus Christ. The delight of sacrifice is that I lay down my life for my Friend, Jesus (see John 15:13). I don’t throw my life away, but I willingly and deliberately lay it down for Him and His interests in other people. And I do this for no cause or purpose of my own. Paul spent his life for only one purpose— that he might win people to Jesus Christ. Paul always attracted people to his Lord, but never to himself. He said, “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22).

When someone thinks that to develop a holy life he must always be alone with God, he is no longer of any use to others. This is like putting himself on a pedestal and isolating himself from the rest of society. Paul was a holy person, but wherever he went Jesus Christ was always allowed to help Himself to his life. Many of us are interested only in our own goals, and Jesus cannot help Himself to our lives. But if we are totally surrendered to Him, we have no goals of our own to serve. Paul said that he knew how to be a “doormat” without resenting it, because the motivation of his life was devotion to Jesus. We tend to be devoted, not to Jesus Christ, but to the things which allow us more spiritual freedom than total surrender to Him would allow. Freedom was not Paul’s motive at all. In fact, he stated, “I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren . . .” (Romans 9:3). Had Paul lost his ability to reason? Not at all! For someone who is in love, this is not an overstatement. And Paul was in love with Jesus Christ.

   All those yard signs with our opponents name and all with our name... and all those big signs that cost an arm and leg...our names on those signs are only important as our lives reflect the character and point others to the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.  What profit is it to us, to win a campaign if we do all we can to  lift up our name and yet don't conduct ourselves in a way that reflects the name of JESUS in our day to day lives, moment by moment?

    As i read the devotion this morning from Oswald Chambers i felt guilty for promoting our name all over the place.  I was feeling condemned, and wondering again, why isn't Johnny still preaching the name of CHRIST from the pulpit instead of getting involved in politics.  I was talking to a dear godly older friend, and confiding to her about my misgivings with Johnny running for office, when the highest calling was being a preacher.  She graciously disagreed with me, and told me when she was a teacher, there were student's and parent's lives she could reach in the classroom that a preacher couldn't...once again the LORD gently reminded me that HE has called us into this race...maybe not to win the office, but to accomplish HIS plans and purposes.  She reminded me that wherever GOD puts us is the most important place HE has for us to serve HIM and bring glory to HIM.

    My dear friend Wanda, who has been campaigning hard for us, going door to door, passing out fliers, etc, shared a poem with me yesterday written by Beth Moore that really spoke to me about life looking different than the way i had planned it...it's called, "The Life I Planned."  

"Has someone seen the life I planned?

It seems it's been misplaced

I've looked in every corner

It's lost without a trace.

I've found one I don't recognize

Things missing that were dear

Promises I'd hope to keep

And dreams I'd dreamed aren't here.

Faces I had planned to see

Hands I planned to hold

Now absent in the pictures

Not the way I told.

Has someone seen the life I planned? 

Did it get thrown away?

GOD took my hand from searching

Then I heard HIM say,

"Child your ears have never heard

Your eyes have never seen

Eternal plans I have for you

Are more than you could dream.

"You long to walk by sight

But I'm teaching eyes to see.

I know what I am doing 

"Til then, you must believe."

He's done so much, I felt ashamed

To know He heard my moans

To think I'd trade all HE's done

For plans made on my own.

I wept over HIS faithfulness

And how HE'd proved HIMself

How HE'd gone beyond my dreams

And said to HIM myself,

"No, my ears have never heard

My eyes have never seen

Eternal plans you have for me

Are more than I could dream.

"Yes, I long to walk by sight

But You're teaching eyes to see

You know what You are doing

'Til then, I must believe."

I felt HIS great compassion

Mercy unrestrained

He let me mourn my losses

And showed to me my gains.

I offered HIM my future

And released to HIM my past

I traded in my dreams

For a plan He said would last.

I get no glimpse ahead

No certainties at all

Except the presence of the One

WHO will not let me fall.

Are you also searching 

For a life you planned yourself?

Have you looked in every corner?

Have you checked on every shelf?

Child, your ears have never heard

Your eyes have never seen

Eternal plans HE has for you

Are more than you could dream.

Perhaps you long to walk by faith

But He's teaching eyes to see

He knows what HE is doing 

CHILD, step out and believe."

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what GOD has prepared for those who love HIM." I Cor. 2:9

    Alright, once again the LORD had to reassure me that this is HIS place for us "for such a time as this."  This is the place HE has called us to walk/run at least for 2 1/2 more weeks, and this is the place HE has called us to lift up HIS GREAT NAME.

     Please pray for us that  in all the events, and forums, and things that lie ahead the next two and a half weeks  of this campaign, that GOD would use our family to proclaim HIS GREAT NAME in all the ways HE leads us.  Coming down the stretch there are lots of events going on, and things going on that we need you to lift us up before our DADDY in heaven....please pray for us as the LORD brings us to your mind...for wisdom, strength, HIS favor would rest upon us, and anything the LORD brings to mind, and that most of all, our lives would be above reproach, and draw others to "YOUR GREAT NAME."

     Our choir sang the great song of worship, "YOUR GREAT NAME" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6vHHbUOCQA, this past Sunday.   When it was over, many in the congregation were standing lifting their hands in worship to our LORD JESUS CHRIST.  It was a special time for us all as the name of JESUS was proclaimed, and HE moved mightily among HIS people.  I hope you will take the time to listen and watch this powerful video...and worship JESUS, HE is so worthy of our praises.

     If you haven't ever surrendered your life to our LORD JESUS who died on a cross, and shed HIS blood to pay for your sins and mine, i invite you to do that right now where you are reading this email.  HE loves you so much HE died for you and me...and HE has a wonderful plan for our lives.  HE wants to use our lives,  to draw others to HIS GREAT NAME, wherever HE has us serving HIM,  to show HIS great love to them.

"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 in HIS kindness toward us in CHRIST JESUS.  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of GOD, not of works, lest anyone should boast.  For we are HIS workmanship, created in CHRIST JESUS for good works, which GOD prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:4-10

    Running in a political race may not have been what i had planned for our lives, but it was GOD's...and HE knows how important that name recognition and what that name stands for is to winning the race.  JESUS's GREAT NAME is the key to our winning the race of life...HE is everything we need HIM to be and more,  "Redeemer, My HEALER, ALMIGHTY, My SAVIOR, DEFENDER, YOU are My KING."  Is HE your KING?  Your Redeemer? Your Healer, Your SAVIOR?  If HE is...then our lives should be like a sign pointing to the  ONE who loves us so much HE gave HIS life for you and me.   I should be a whole lot more consumed about being a "sign" for JESUS, than i am others seeing our name on the side of the road. But since that is part of this journey...pray for us that GOD would put HIS favor in the hearts of those voting and recognize our name:). 
      Thank you for sharing this time with me...please remember our family in your prayers daily...every day is a "new adventure," and a new opportunity to lift up HIS GREAT NAME.  We love you and  we appreciate you so much.

                                                                                            With all HIS love,

                                                                                             mitzi

     

   

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovYPQl93zro

 "Just As I Am" Brian Doerkson

"Come Rest Your Head Upon HIS Breast"

My dear Mother in law, Bobbie Evans and friend Sherri Bassham, pastor's wife at First United Methodist
at a funeral in the City Cemetary

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

Dear Praying Friends and Family,

Valentine's Day flowers Hannah Beth received from her  Daddy

    I hope you all had a very Happy Valentine's Day and you saw HIS love in the people around you and HIS grace for your lives.  You all have blessed us so much with your prayers on our behalf, your encouragement, your most generous support financially, your help going door to door, putting signs out,  a friend letting Johnny borrow their golf cart to help save his knees going door to door, and so many ways you have "Shared HIS Love," with us. Our hearts are full of gratitude to GOD and for you for the love that HE has poured out upon us through your generosity and kindness to us.  

    I did not want to start another busy week of campaigning or otherwise as the LORD leads us out to "Share HIS Love," without asking you to remember us before our FATHER each day.  HE has been so faithful to bless us in every way, meet every need supernaturally, including this weekend for a time to "Be Still and Know" that HE is GOD...Johnny had to slow down and rest his knees, and yesterday afternoon, i enjoyed a time of resting and started a wonderful CHRISTian novel by Francine Rivers, called "Redeeming Love,  I'm sure i will be sharing more of later.  I was too sluggish to write the email yesterday afternoon, but felt refreshed after a short nap to be able to read this wonderful book based on the book of Hosea, that is a picture of CHRIST's ever faithful, pursuing,  redeeming, love for unfaithful Israel, and for us.  HE loves us so much. I can't wait to get back to it...

     But for now, i wanted to ask you to cover us with your prayers this week as we "Share HIS Love," and campaign as we go along. Please pray for :

•    the HOLY SPIRIT to lead and guide in all we do and HIS fragrance will reach out to others through us
•     GOD's wisdom in all that we do and say
•    GOD's favor in the hearts of the people we meet and that see the ads and signs and hear about Johnny
•    A forum at the library this week on Weds at noon for the Republican candidates
•    Saturday is Chili Challenge -GOD's favor, volunteers to wear our T shirts,
•    strength and health for our family and all who are helping us
•     Anything else you think of to pray we appreciate it so much

Sign telling the history of our town

                                                      

    I also would like for you to pray for Al and Rhonda Roberts...they are the dear friends from church who graciously allowed Johnny to use his golf cart for the rest of the campaign.  Al is battling cancer, and is in Houston today with his Daddy for some consulting about surgery.  Thank you for remembering these dear friends.

   Please also remember the Deemer family, my husband's uncle and his wife who lost their Mother and Grandmother this week...John Deemer did the fliers we are using for the campaign and did a great job with them.

    Please remember my Mother in law in your prayer who lost a very close long time friend this week...she had several funerals and deaths this week, it's been a hard week for her.

The old part of the City Cemetary in Athens

                                       

   This week, has been another busy week, packed with GOD's blessings, strength and health to go door to door many places, riding my bicycle campaigning has been a blast and saved my feet and knees a lot, and GOD leading and guiding our paths to so many wonderful people and places.  

My Campaign "Wheels"

     

     What a refreshing Sunday has become to me in a new way, to "Be Still and Know" that HE is GOD after a busy week of campaigning.   We had a wonderful day of worship yesterday, with  evangelist Scott Dawson, and were challenged to share the salvation and love of GOD wherever we go, and what a blessing this campaign has been for doing that.  

    I was reminded this week through a quote by Hannah Hurnard, who wrote one of my very favorite books, "Hinds Feet on High Places," an allegory of the CHRISTian life,  how very gracious our loving FATHER is to use weak vessels such as Johnny and myself in HIS service...I love this quote:

"It is one of the lovely things about the Master we serve, that HE  is so willing to use in HIS service dwarves as well as giants, and feeble folk as well as champions." Hannah Hurnard, Wayfarer in the Land

"Are you called to help others?  Do it with all the strength and energy that GOD supplies so that GOD will be glorified." 1 Peter 4:11

   As i sat in my sauna one night recently, and watched our cat who had surgery a few weeks ago lay quietly outside of it, i thought about how much "grace," our cat has been shown in her weakness.  She has been able to stay inside in a warm house, be doctored, loved and cared for when she couldn't care for herself.  She certainly couldn't drive herself to the vet 45 minutes away and pay the bill! She is a picture of us in our weakness, our insufficiency, and how GOD empowers us with HIS grace and power and does for us what we cannot do.  

Peaches recovering from surgery

          
This campaign has sure been a picture to me of that...seeing GOD's power in our weakness...supplying all our needs through HIS grace...and many of you are HIS grace to us...thank you.  "My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness.  Therefore I will gladly boast in my weaknesses that the power of CHRIST may rest upon Me." II Cor. 12:9. 

Resting Upon HIS Breast for this Campaign

   I read a devotion this week, that really blessed me about coming to the LORD as a little child, and resting upon HIS breast, and trusting HIM.  I have shared it with you below and pray the LORD will use it to encourage you to come to HIM and rest Your Head Upon HIS Breast," as a little child in the midst of the places that GOD has you walking and resting in HIM. 

     

"My Presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." Exodus 33:14

     To step out of self-life into CHRIST -life; to lie still, and let HIM lift you out of it; to fold your hands close, and hide your face on the hem of HIS garment; to let HIM lay HIS cooling, soothing, healing hands upon your soul,

and draw all the hurry and fever from its veins; to realize that you are not a mighty messenger, an important worker of HIS, full of care and responsibility, but only a little child, with a FATHER's gentle bidding to heed and fulfill; to lay your busy plans and ambitions confidently in HIS hands, as a child brings its broken toys at its mother's call; to serve HIM by waiting, to praise HIM by saying, "Holy, Holy, Holy," to cease to hurry, so you may not lose sight of HIS face; to learn to follow HIM, and not to run ahead of orders! to cease to live in self and for self, and to live in HIM and for HIM; to love HIS honor more than your own; to be a clear medium for his life-tide to shine and glow through.  This is consecration, this is rest."

"Thou sweet, beloved will of GOD,

My anchor ground, my fortress hill,

My spirit's silent, fair abode,

In Thee I hide me and am still.

Thy beautiful sweet will, my GOD,

Holds fast in its sublime embrace

My captive will, a gladsome bird,

Prison'd in such a realm of grace.

Upon GOD's will I lay me down,

As child upon its mother's breast,

No silken couch, nor softest bed,

Could ever give me such deep rest.

                                                                     -Tersteegen

     Last week in choir  we sang a beautiful song of worship to the LORD by Steven Curtis Chapman called, "Be Still and Know" from Psalm 46. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHlbnNUHQGI  What a beautiful song of worship and peace inviting us to "Come rest your head upon  HIS breast, listen to the rhythm of HIS unfailing heart of love, beating for HIS little ones, Calling each of us to come, Be still." 

                                                                                                  

Be still and know that He is God

Be still and know that He is holy

Be still, O restless soul of mine

Bow before the Prince of peace

Let the noise and clamor cease

Be still

Be still and know that He is God

Be still and know that He is faithful

Consider all that he has done

Stand in awe and be amazed

And know that He will never change

Be still

Be still and know that he is God

Be still and know he is our Father

Come rest your head upon his breast

Listen to the rhythm of his unfailing heart of love

Beating for His little ones

Calling each of us to come

Be still 

 If you've never surrendered your life to our LORD JESUS who died for your sins and mine that we might be forgiven and have rest in HIM, i pray that you will do that even as you read this email.  HE loves us so much HE gave HIS life for you and for me, and invites us to "come Rest Your Head Upon HIS Breast."

     "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

   Thank you for taking this time to "rest" with me this week, and I pray this email will be a refreshing to your soul, as you spend time with HIM and "Rest Your Head Upon HIS Breast."  I love you and thank GOD for you...thank you so much for upholding us in your prayers to our heavenly FATHER.

                                                                                                          With all HIS love,

                                                                                                               mitzi

                          

                 

-- 

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovYPQl93zro

 "Just As I Am" Brian Doerkson

"Share HIS Love"

Home in Historic Distric...notice the brick sidewalks

"Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgement." Jude 1:23 

"Go quickly into the street and alleys of the city...go out into the country lanes and out behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come..." Luke 14:21-23

    Dear Praying Friends and Family,

             Your prayers are such a dear blessing to us and we thank GOD for all that HE is enabling us to do and be and experience during this campaign journey HE has led us to take for at least these some eight weeks.  We are at about the half way point this weekend, with the primary being March 13.  GOD has blessed us beyond measure by empowering us to do what we cannot...health wise, financial,  or other wise.  Thank you for keeping us in your prayers, and please continue to do so...we need them.

        This past Friday night, we had the blessing of going to our church's Valentine's banquet together.  One of the blessings of the campaign is being able to go to more things together like this.  My husband's brother and mother and sis and law are working in Johnny's place so he can take off to campaign, and we appreciate their help so very much.  It's very much a family effort and without their help, and the help of so many of our friends and family that GOD is using to help us, we could do nothing.  
        The theme of the Valentine's banquet was "Share His Love."  I didn't know what to expect since we've never been to one at our church, but it was a really, really nice affair.  First of all, the tables were all decorated pretty for Valentines, with little heart shaped tarts on the table, and candle's in globes burning on each table.  There was a large crowd , and as you looked out over the Family Life Center it was a sea of red  and white. Most of the ladies wore red for Valentine's and several of the men had on red sweaters.  We got there a few minutes late, so as we arrived, we looked over the room for a seat and there right beside my friend Wanda and her husband Greg, were seats at a table.  So although we weren't at the same table, we were able to talk, and laugh back and forth...that was a special blessing from the LORD.   

     It wasn't long after we sat down that the youth girls came and asked us what we wanted to drink, and then our table was called to come and serve our plate in the buffet line.  Our pastor was among those serving the meal...he and his wife, Joan, are always setting an example for the rest of us to humble ourselves and be servants for CHRIST. The food was delicious, especially the roast beef and chicken. The red cabbage was also tasty... I didn't get a piece of the cakes they were serving but they looked awesome...i noticed a piece of chocolate cake and carrot cake on our table...and they looked yummy.  

    As we ate, one of our former choir members sang love songs   He has a beautiful and soothing voice.  In a little while the program started, and Tee Jackson, the former principle at Athens High School got up and shared about the theme "Share His Love."  He challenged us to share the love of CHRIST wherever we go, "In the Highways, By-Ways and Hedges."  As he talked a lady in the church playing like "Minnie Pearl," would come up and interrupt him, and we all laughed.  Intermingled with Tee's (who was also the girls basketball coach at Athens High School when i play basketball for Tanner and they always beat us) serious comments about spreading the love of CHRIST JESUS, were several "singers," folks from our church, who would come up and "sing," traveling songs from folks like, Johnny Cash, Carrie Underwood, Ricky Nelson, and the group Alabama.  All of them were  so funny...but the message came across and was serious...GOD has called HIS children to be HIS witnesses while we are here and to "Share HIS Love," where ever the LORD leads us each day.

     The message was so very timely for where the LORD has my husband and i as he is running for a political office and we are all over the place meeting people, and being reacquainted with so many old friends...all who need for us to "Share HIS Love." There are hurting people behind every door we knock on.  So many are sharing HIS love with us as we go along....as i shared this week, every person who has donated finacially, put up a yard sign, gone out on a limb to endorse my husband, told someone about my husband, given their property to let us put up a sign, gone door to door in your neighborhood, and a thousand other things, has "Shared the Love" of CHRIST with us. 
       One of the ways someone "Shared His Love," with me this week, really touched me to the core of my soul.  I was on my bicycle in one of the neighborhood's going door to door, and a young boy, was out shooting basketball in the goal in his driveway.  I asked him if he would give one of our campaign fliers to his Mom, and he said, "Yes Ma'am. "  When I left, he told me, "It was nice to meet you," and that really got my attention.  I rode on down a couple of houses, being careful to skip the yards that looked like that had been sprayed, (and it still got to me), and in a couple of minutes the young lad came running down to me, and said, "I'm sorry, I forgot to ask you if you would like some water?"  Right then and there, i said, young man, you are like someone out of the Bible, and I told him the story of Isaac's servant who went to find a wife for Isaac. When Rebekkah came out and offered to  water the camel's for Isaac's servant, he knew then and there, that she was the wife for Isaac, because of her servant's heart.  This little fourth grade boy, "Shared HIS Love," with me, in a very dramatic fashion by his willingness to serve me, and go above and beyond what was necessary.  I didn't take him up on the offer, though i wish i had of, and met his dear Mom and thanked her for her diligent training in her young son's life...but i won't forget the impact his offer for water made upon my heart this past week.  It doesn't have to be big acts of kindness that we do to "Share HIS Love,"... even something as simple as a cup of cold water shared will be rewarded says JESUS in the Scriptures Mark 9:41:

     "For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in MY name, because you belong to CHRIST, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward." Mark 9:41.  

     The really neat thing about being one of GOD's children, is that we don't have to be successful when we "Share HIS Love," to be rewarded.  What a mean by that is often our acts of love are rejected, either, nicely, or not so nicely.   I said "No thank you," to the young boy about the water, but the offer of love was still there, whether it was his dear Mother's, or his thoughtful heart.  Many times we do try to "Share GOD's love," with those who don't want to receive it...but GOD wants us to be obedient just like the little boy was if his Mom sent him to ask me about the water.   GOD wants us to be obedient and "Share HIS love," to those who will receive it and those who reject HIS love through us.

   We've had so many blessings along this campaign journey and I am trying to write down each morning in my "Thank You," journal what those blessings are so i don't forget them.  One was meeting an old family friend of my husband's family.  I have known of them forever it seems, but didn't know them.  As i went door to door in the same neighborhood as the little boy lived in, i saw an "Evans" sign in one of the yards, and I wanted to be sure and thank whoever it was for putting our sign out.  I saw the name on the mailbox, and recognized it right off.  When i knocked on the door of the beautiful front porch, an attractive white haired elderly lady came out.  She and i started talking, and it was something about the way she talked and smiled that i was attracted to...i still didn't know much about her, but as we talked on, i told her i wanted to be like her when i got older.  She smiled, and told me she had been crying most of the day, because her little dog had died a couple of weeks before.  She asked me if i knew who Elisabeth Elliot was and i said, I named my daughter after her!  Elisabeth Elliot has been such a mentor to me in her walk with CHRIST through her books and radio shows. You can read more about her at www.elisabethelliot.org. She brought her up because Elisabeth had done a radio show a long time ago about Pets dying and whether or not we would see them in heaven.  I remember that show...and we both agreed we sure hoped she was right, and that we would see our beloved pets again in heaven.  After that i asked her where she went to church, and I was embarrassed when she said, "First Baptist," the same church that i go to!   It's a pretty big church, so i guess i just must have missed her, as i sit up front with the choir and the orchestra, and she sits in the middle.  But what a sweet time of fellowship she and I had in the LORD JESUS, and i knew then what I was seeing in her that made me want to be like her...it was the love and light of JESUS shining forth through her, even in the midst of her sorrow over her beloved pet.  I didn't know anything about this lady...but after being in her presence for a short time, she made me thirsty for what she had... a countenance and spirit that reflected the love of CHRIST JESUS.  It was getting dark, and cold and i was on my bicycle, but my heart sure was warmed by the love of JESUS that came from inside her...

Campaigning by the light of the moon

      I do want to be like this dear saint i met....even if the name of JESUS is never mentioned before hand, i want others to be able to tell there is something different about me, and that something is SOMEONE, CHRIST in me, the Hope of Glory.

    I've met so many people this week carrying burdens inside such as the lady whose husband had a stroke, and she told me she never expected to be taking care of an invalid at this point in her life.  When i walked up to her door and knocked on it because of the sled beside the door, and the ice skate decorating the table, i never thought i'd meet someone inside who just needed to share her burdens with a listening, caring ear.  Many times since we've begun this campaign, i've thought, you never know what people are going through inside those nice big houses.   The campaign has taken us to the nicest of homes, to the not so nice homes, to homes that were built before the Civil War, to a tunnel that was built during the Civil War but everywhere you go, people are hurting and need to know how very much JESUS loves them and HE wants to show them HIS love through us.

  

Home in the historic distric of our town-this home served as a hospital during the Civil War, i think.

        

Home in the historic district
This is soon to be our next door neighbor's new home. 

     As i campaigned  in the North part of our county on Friday,going round to different restaurants and stores...i came across many people, and some didn't look as polished and cleaned up as you find in the town part of our county.  After i had gone in a smoky restaurant, and met some folks, and  a doctor's office, and a place called "Donna's Barn and Cafe," (something about those two names just don't go together....only in Alabama:), i eventually made my way to the end of the stores. 

Cafe i went in campaigning...they have auctions and bluegrass music and dances on the weekend

                                                       

 At the end of the little strip was a place called the Pine Tree.  It was a pretty yellow building, and had a sign pointing towards it like it was a restaurant.  I missed the door the first time i tried to go in, and then went back to it.  After i opened it and went down a short hallway, i was a sign on the door and realized i was in a massage parlor!   I didn't go any further, but promptly turned around and got out of there. My husband got a big laugh when i called and told him what i had done, and later we learned this place had been in the newspapers and had been raided by the police!  I hope no one captured me on camera coming out of there...it was all legitimate I promise....    Later as I thought back about it, i thought, well, that would have been the perfect place to "Share HIS Love," but i didn't think about it, all i thought about was getting out of there as fast as I could.  

    You know, whether we live in a big fancy house like many we have been to this week, or a shady massage parlor...we all have the same thing in common that JESUS CHRIST was sent into the world for...we all are sick from our sins, and are headed for a burning hell to pay for our sins, unless we repent of them, and accept JESUS CHRIST as our LORD and SAVIOR.  It doesn't matter, if you are the President, a plumber, a doctor, a restaurant worker, a preacher, or a teacher....or a prostitute, without JESUS's blood covering our sins, we are lost without HIM.  I would not be "Sharing HIS Love," if i did not tell you the Truth, and the Truth is: 

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

   I read a part of a sermon from J.C. Ryle, a pastor in the late 1800's, that i want to share with you, because i love you.  Some of you reading this have never repented of your sins, choosing to go your own way, thinking you can do enough good deeds to work your way to heaven.  As i told you last week, Isaiah tells us that our righteousness is as filthy rags...menstrual rags, is how it's literally translated."  Some of you reading this, just plain may have never thought much about receiving the LORD JESUS as your LORD and SAVIOR...and others, may just think that the whole thing about hell is just a made up fairy tale, that a loving GOD would never send people to hell.  JESUS talks about hell over and over and IT IS the reason that HE came to earth to save us...to rescue us from hell and eternal damnation.  Please take time to read these words from JC Ryle, and if you've never asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins, and truly repented, you can do it right now.  HE loves you so much and it is not HIS desire that anyone should perish.

A bugbear to frighten children and fools!

(J.C. Ryle, "Holiness, Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots" 1879)

I believe that the time has come, when it is a positive duty to speak plainly about the reality and eternity of Hell. A flood of false doctrinehas lately broken in upon us. Men are beginning to tell us that God is too loving and merciful to punish souls forever; and that all mankind, however wicked and ungodly some of them may be--will sooner or later be saved. We are invited to leave the old paths of apostolic Christianity. We are told that the views of our fathers about Hell, and the devil, and punishment--are obsolete and old-fashioned. We are to embrace what is called a "kinder theology"--and treat Hell as a pagan fable, or a bugbear to frighten children and fools!

Against such false teaching I desire, for one, to protest. I, for one, am resolved to maintain the old position, and to assert the realityand eternity of Hell.

It is a question which lies at the very foundation of the whole gospel. The moral attributes of God--His justice, His holiness, His purity--are all involved in it. Once let the old doctrine about Hell be overthrown--and the whole system of Christianity is unsettled, unscrewed, unpinned and thrown into disorder!

The Scripture has spoken plainly and fully on the subject of Hell. 
If words mean anything--then there is such a place as Hell. 
If texts are to be interpreted fairly--then there are those who will be cast into Hell. 
If language has any sense belonging to it--then Hell is forever.

The drowning of the old world by the flood, 
the burning of Sodom and Gomorrah, 
the overthrow of Pharaoh and all his host in the Red Sea, 
the judgment on Korah, Dathan and Abiram, 
the utter destruction of the seven nations of Canaan--
all teach the same solemn truth. They are all given to us as beaconsand signs and warnings--that we may not provoke God. They all remind us that there is such a thing as the wrath of God. They all tell us plainly that "the wicked shall be turned into Hell" (Psalm 9:17).

Settle it firmly in your mind, that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself has spoken most plainly about the reality and eternity of Hell. No lips have used so many words to express the dreadfulness of Hell, as the lips of Jesus. 
Hell, 
Hell-fire, 
the damnation of Hell, 
eternal damnation, 
the resurrection of damnation, 
everlasting fire, 
the place of torment, 
outer darkness, 
the worm that never dies, 
the fire that is never quenched,
the place of weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth, 
everlasting punishment--
these, these are the words which the Lord Jesus Christ Himself employs! Away with the miserable nonsense which people talk in this day, who tell us that the ministers of the gospel should never speak of Hell! 

He is the kindest friend--who tells me the whole extent of my danger!
The watchman who keeps silence when he sees a fire--is guilty of gross neglect! 
The doctor who tells us we are getting well when we are dying--is a false friend! 
The minister who keeps back Hell from his people--is a wicked and cruel man!

What is the use of hiding eternal punishment from the impenitent and the ungodly? Surely, it is helping the devil!

     I want to be the kindest friend who tells the whole extent of the danger that we all lie in apart from the salvation that is found in the  LORD JESUS CHRIST....i don't want to be like a doctor who is telling a patient they are getting well, when they are dying, but i'm afraid sometimes i am because i am fearful of man or else i don't truly believe in hell.  So today, i share this with you my friends and family and pray the LORD will use it to speak to your heart to convict you and bring you to a saving relationship with our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.  

    I want to close with a story i read about John Wesley, one of the founders of the Methodist Church.  When he was a young boy, his family's house caught on fire.  He awoke to flames in his bedroom, but everyone was gone. His father wanted to go in and rescue him, but he was unable to due to the flames so he prayed for little John.  Somehow, GOD helped little John Wesley  make it to a windowsill and some of the neighbor men were able to make a human ladder, and "snatch him from the flames of fire."  GOD used that fire to burn in  John Wesley's heart and mind.  Later when CHRIST saved him from the burning flames of hell when John Wesley accepted CHRIST, he was compelled to tell others how GOD sent  JESUS to save us from the burning flames of hell. 

     My desire today has been to "Share His Love" with you, by encouraging you that even the smallest of deeds we do in HIS name we will be rewarded for and can be a blessing in others lives for beyond all we ask or think.  I also wanted to encourage you, like myself to be bold, and "Share HIS Love," by sharing the great salvation that is found in the blood of our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST.   

  

        When we were members at Travis Avenue Baptist in Ft. Worth, when my husband was in seminary, we used to sing a beautiful song called "People Need the LORD," by Steve Greene  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uZcGaixMhg.  It really sums up what i have shared with you today.   "The chorus says, "People Need the LORD, People Need the LORD, at the end of broken dreams He's the open door, People Need the LORD, People Need the LORD, when will we realize we must give our lives, for People Need the LORD." 

    I love you, and thank you so much for your prayers and for spending this time with me today....I pray the LORD will use this email to encourage you and me to "Share HIS Love   in the Highways, By-Ways, and Hedges..."so that My House will be full." JESUS has the biggest and best Valentine's banquet awaiting all those who put their faith and trust in HIM called the "Marriage Supper of the Lamb. " Rev. 19:7-10.  Until then, He delights to pour out HIS love over HIS children and bring us into the banquet of an intimate relationship with HIM.  May we all feast deeply on HIS banquet of love that we may "Share HIS love" with those around us.     Happy Valentine's Day to you all !

                                                With all HIS love,

                                                                                mitzi