"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of GOD, and not of us." 2 Cor. 4:7 KJV
"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet MY unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you." Isaiah 54:10
It sure is peaceful out here on my front porch listening to the crickets softly chirping. It's a lot different than this time a year ago, when deadly EF5 tornadoes had already taken the lives of 4 people in our county, demolished countless homes, and forever changed the landscape and the lives of those who live in our county and state. Today is the one year anniversary of those powerful tornadoes that reminded us once again of our fragileness as humans and the POWER and mercy of our ALMIGHTY GOD. Please remember those families who lost homes and loved ones in your prayers. The LORD also reminded me that a year go today, my dear friend Darlene who has gone to be with JESUS, had me over for lunch. She was feeling good that day, and she prepared a delicious "macrobiotic" lunch that her husband had cooked before he left for work that morning. She was battling cancer, and eating really healthy. We had some kind of greens, grain, and beans, and it was wonderful! To see Darlene feeling so well and enjoy her sweet fellowship was the most wonderful part. I miss her and look forward to spending all eternity with her in heaven where she is with JESUS.
Last weekend, i ask you to pray for our Women's Conference at First Baptist Church and how the LORD answered your prayers! Thank you so much for taking time to pray for us. After the first session was over that morning, I told someone we could go home and we would be so blessed. It was evident the LORD was with us in a special way.
I knew hardly anything about our speaker except what i shared with you in last Friday's email...that she had cancer, and that first husband had died. Friday night i had the privilege of sitting with her at supper, and I asked her if her husband was a pastor. She told me her first husband was a pastor, she is now married to a man who sells real estate. She said that was in her testimony and she'd be sharing it the next day. Betty Dean Newman asked Karen to get up and share a little bit after we ate, and Karen at once put us at ease. She had on blue jeans and she was apologetic about being so casually dressed...she thought she was meeting with a committee of 3 or 4 and they would finish decorating for the Conference that was held in our Family Life Center. The "committee" turned out to be about 60 women, many who had been there decorating the Family Life Center all day. If you clicked on my blog late last Friday, you saw i had posted pictures of some of the beautiful "tablescapes," that our women had decorated on Friday http://mitzi-
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| Jenny Chandler, Betty Dean Newman, and Jackie Jackson |
On Saturday, our Bible study groups, "Willing Hearts," the older women, and "Growing Hearts," the younger women, arrived early and scampered around making last minute preparations and getting pictures made.
It wasn't long before our guests arrived and the beautifully decorated Family Life Center began filling up. This was the first year we did the whole Conference in the FLC, we usually just eat the meal there. But it worked out really good as everyone sat around the beautifully decorated tables as we listened to the speakers and singers and the round tables afforded closer fellowship with each other.
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| Our dear"Willing Hearts" |
It wasn't long before our guests arrived and the beautifully decorated Family Life Center began filling up. This was the first year we did the whole Conference in the FLC, we usually just eat the meal there. But it worked out really good as everyone sat around the beautifully decorated tables as we listened to the speakers and singers and the round tables afforded closer fellowship with each other.
I saved my Mother in law and her friend, Hilda, a seat at our Pastor's wife table. I had planned to sit with them, but GOD had a different assignment for me that was better for my allergies. At the last minute after the Conference had started, Jackie Jackson asked me if i would sit near the door so i could help those who were coming in late, and also assist the men who would be coming in to serve the women lunch. I told her i would be glad to, so the LORD gave me an "assignment" at the door, where i could help out, and also it helped me out by not having to sit several hours surrounded by perfume and other fragrances. I had saved a seat for my friend Wanda, and it occurred to me that maybe the LORD didn't want us to sit together at the Conference so we would reach out to others. Karen had reminded us the night before that GOD knew exactly where we would each be sitting the next day and there were no accident's in HIS plans. As Wanda came in, and i was showing her where i had saved her a seat, someone came up and grabbed her and took her to another table...a table where one of her coworkers from another church was sitting! So Wanda knew that was where she was supposed to be sitting and i did too. I knew that sitting by the door was where i was supposed to be to even though neither of us had planned on sitting where we did...it was all a part of GOD's "assignment" for us that day.
When Karen Alexander Doyle began to speak she started sharing her testimony and talking about we all have different "calls," in our life. She said we have the call for salvation, and that GOD called her and wanted all of her. She thought she was going to China when she surrendered her life to the LORD, and she reminded us that GOD's call in our lives are always best. She told us about a young man she met in Sunday School when she was 8, and then several years later, she met him again when she answered GOD's call to go to college, and that is who she married. She knew that GOD had led their paths together after all those years and it was no accident. She said she was "engaged" to him since the time she was 8. Her husband became a pastor and everywhere they lived she said was their favorite place. She reminded us that GOD calls us to do only what HE can do through us so that HE can get the glory. HE doesn't call us to do what is easy to us, otherwise HE would not get the glory. She told us when GOD calls us to pray...to STOP and pray. She said that "the call" came for her a new journey. She liked the journey she was on being a pastor's wife, and boy,could i relate to what she was saying. I liked the journey we were on too, when my husband was a pastor. I became very sick with two babies, and the "call" came for us to move back home so i could have help and Johnny went in the restaurant business with his family. That was a "calling," or "assignment," that I didn't want and it took me a long time to accept it.
Karen Alexander Doyel told us about a phone call that she received from her son asking her to pray for her husband. He had taken their 3 boys camping at the end of the year to talk about GOD's goodness in their lives the previous year, and goals for the upcoming year. When her son called, and told her that her husband was in trouble she kind of blew it off and said, "oh it's just going to make for a good sermon illustration," and her son said "No mom this is really serious...you need to pray." Karen's husband and sons had arrived late at the campsite, it was night time, and her husband was sitting on a three legged stool. He had just finished looking out over the beauty of GOD's creation and said something like, "Who can see all this beauty that GOD created and not believe there is a GOD?" and then he was gone. Without a sound, he had fallen backward off the side of the mountain, 200 ft into the river. They didn't realize that at the time, that he had fallen into the river. Two of the boys went over the cliff looking for him. They too, nearly fell down below, but grabbed hold of a small tree that keep them from falling also. The third son had gone to call for help. The next morning, they rescuers found his body in the Tennessee River down below.
Karen shared how difficult the days ahead were...everyone wanted her to be okay. She said when she was alone in her car the tears would flow and she would beg GOD to bring her husband back. She said she didn't think that you could hurt like this and live. She said that waves of grief would come to her, and that even when she was so weak, that GOD was faithful to her. She asked the LORD, why am I here? She said "It's hard to live among the living when you miss someone." And GOD told her, "I will betrothe you to ME forever. You are going to know me like you've never known me before. She said that she would not trade a single second for the relationship that she has now with her GOD. She said her son said "I cannot ask for my Dad back" because of all of their relationship with GOD now. GOD's way is best. She encouraged us to tell our children what GOD has done for us, the trials HE's brought us through and HIS goodness and lovingkindness in our lives....tell to remember. I guess that's some of the reason i write these emails...to tell, to remember GOD's lovingkindness in my life, our family and friends life. It does me the most good to sit down at the end of the week, and remember GOD's goodness over the past week and write it down.
Karen reminded us that GOD called us here...HE called each and every one of us here and that everything that GOD does is good. She said she reached the point that she was no longer asking for her husband back.
Then she said that GOD called her into an art gallery one day. She said she wasn't the type to go into art galleries but one day she was walking along, and she felt drawn to go into this gallery. She said when she went in she saw a painting that looked exactly like the place where her husband had died and their was a cross painted exactly where he fell. When her sons saw the painting she said they said, "That's where Dad fell." The painting was $700 dollars and she couldn't afford that so she didn't buy the painting. The boys encouraged her to contact the painter who she didn't know, to let him know what happened there. The painter was Thomas Kincaid, and she didn't know who he was and didn't really want to write him but she did for the boys sake. She said she didn't expect to hear anything back, but about a week later, she received a call from Thomas Kincaid's assistant. She told Karen that her letter had been read over the intercom to the workers in the business, and they shut down for the rest of the day because it moved them so. She found out that Thomas Kincade woke up one morning and the LORD had put that scene in his mind to paint. He even included the little tree the boys grabbed a hold of to keep from falling down the side, and some reddish bushes that are native to that area of Tenn. but not in California where Thomas Kincaid lived. Karen told us that everywhere she goes, they send her these cards with the painting on it, so that she can share it with others. The card is a little tract with the plan of salvation inside. She also told us that Thomas Kincade sent her a musuem size copy of the painting and it's in her home in Lenoir City, Tenn. if anyone wants to come and see it.
There were other trials and triumphs that Karen shared with us that day, such as one of her son's getting cancer as a newlywed, and recovering, and then she developed cancer and told her family just as her son finished his last treatment. The LORD healed her for several years, and now she has had a reoccurence. We all were so encouraged by her encouragement to us to trust the LORD and reminding us how GOD is sovereign in every detail of our lives. HE is working out HIS best plan for us, through HIS eternal love for us.
After Karen shared her testimony, Kathleen Phraner sang the beautiful song, "Blessings," http://www.
Carrie Weigart and Paula Curnutt
After the short break, it was time for me to help get the food out for the men to eat after they served the women lunch, so i missed most of the second session which was about GOD's WORD. Before i left, Karen said, "HE makes HIS ways known to us through HIS WORD and HIS ways are best. " I'm going to have to wait and watch the video to hear that part, and that's a good place to tell you they did record the conference so if you are interested in a video you can contact Jackie Jackson through email jackiejackson12@gmail.com and make arrangements to receive one. Karen also had DVD's that you can order from her website.http://
After the delicious lunch we had of chicken salad, apple rings, a croissant i didn't eat, and lettuce, I helped the men get their lunch and they really enjoyed the barbecue and fixins that were from our restaurant. I hadn't "planned," on heating the food up, and getting it out and helping serve them, but that was GOD's "assignment" for me, and i was so glad i was able to do that. After i made sure the men were squared away and they had everything they needed, i found my place by the door, and listened to Karen speak to us about "Gratitude." She opened up sharing a devotion from "JESUS Calling," the devotion book that has meant so much to me this past year as i experienced a "new" assignment with my health issues...a very uncomfortable assignment. She told us that if we focus on what we don't have that our minds become darkened, and she shared with us the power of gratitude. She shared Psalm 100:
1Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 2Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
There is Power in looking at the Provider. HE 's going to give me more than i need to walk in faith. Gratitude gives power for JESUS to heal...and she used the example of the 10 Lepers. Nine were healed, but only one came back to say thank you. JESUS told him that his faith had healed him. The power of our faith is gratefulness. GOD will heal the bitterness, and the anger as we are grateful to GOD. She used David as example of being grateful in Psalm 97, 98, and 99. She said that thankfulness makes GOD known. Gratefulness to GOD makes HIM known to others. Be thankful for our salvation, tell others, and remember what it cost GOD and JESUS to save us. JESUS loved me and went through that pain for me and for you. Be thankful for the forgiveness that we have in CHRIST JESUS...Psalm 103.
She said HE is GOD, "I trust YOU." There is power in gratitude. If we want miracles we must thank GOD. Paul thanked GOD...He was an encourager. Paul thanked GOD even while the ship was still rocking and that gratitude brought power.
She told us that nothing she said would change our lives, but GOD's Word will. "Whatever you do in word or actions..." give thanks to GOD.
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks for this is the will of GOD in CHRIST JESUS concerning you." I Thess. 5:16-18
Karen warned us out of Romans 1 what would happen to us if we aren't thankful: We become futile in our thoughts, and develop a spirit of ingratitude. Our hearts become darkened, ungrateful, and we become self centered. We get hurt easily because we are self centered. Thank GOD...
She ended by exhorting us to surrender to the LORD and letting HIM transform us. She closed with Psalm 107:
1O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.2Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;3And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south. 4They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. 5Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. 6Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. 7And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. 8Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 9For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. 10Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; 11Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: 12Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help. 13Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. 14He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. 15Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 16For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder. 17Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. 18Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death. 19Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. 20He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. 21Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 22And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing. 23They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; 24These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. 25For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. 26They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. 27They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end. 28Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. 29He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. 30Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. 31Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 32Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. 33He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground; 34A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. 35He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings. 36And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation; 37And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase. 38He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease. 39Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow. 40He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way. 41Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock. 42The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth. 43Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.
Kathleen Phraner closed this session with a song that i heard several years ago called, "He'll Do It Again," http://www.youtube.
The Women's Conference was a test of our faith and Perseverance. It just didn't come together like it had in the past, and the attendance was down and Betty Dean, our leader, confessed she had thought about canceling it. She told us she got down on her knees and prayed. For Betty Dean, with MS that was difficult. Thankfully, the LORD led her to persevere, and GOD brought it all together, and she and many have said it's the best one yet. GOD was with us in a special way last Saturday and HE brought the women, over two hundred. "HIS grace was sufficient, and HIS power was made perfect in our weakness."
It was a GREAT day in the LORD, and I have not been able to serve it justice in this email. But i hope that you will order the DVD, and i pray that this email encourages your heart and mine to trust HIM, to give HIM thanks in the midst of the storms because HE is SOVEREIGN, HE loves us, and HE always comes through for us, "We may not know how, we may not know when, but He'll do it again!"
Lord help me to remember these words, help me to remember Your Calls and Assignments in my life. Some "calls," i really like, and others i really don't. Help me to be thankful for the ones i don't and trust YOU because YOU love me and YOU love those who are involved in the call that you have for me. YOU are Sovereign. Thank you for YOUR call, YOUR assignment for Karen Alexander Doyel. Your encouragement through her, came at a great cost to her, just as our salvation came at a great cost to you. YOU are using her so mightily to bring hope and encouragement to hurting hearts that YOU knew would be ministered to through her story and cross. Help me to surrender to your calls in my life and be grateful for Your plans and purposes through them.
"We never want to become so settled and "secure" in a home, job, social group, or geographic location that we are not willing to move or change the instant GOD wants to give us a different assignment." Nancy Leigh DeMoss
"Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you"...So Abram went, as the LORD had told him." Gen. 12:1,4a
Thank you for spending this time with me this week...I hope these reflections about GOD's calling and assignments will encourage your heart as they have mine. HE has a plan, and many callings and assignments for each of us. May we surrender with open hearts to the assignments that HE has for each of us. He wants to reveal HIS great love to us, use us to bring others to HIM, and glorify HIMself through our lives. If you haven't trusted JESUS as your LORD and SAVIOR you can do that right now...JESUS is tenderly calling today, calling you to surrender Your life to HIM and repent of your sins. HE is calling you to a relationship with HIM for all eternity...and HE has "assignments," for each of us where our greatest joys are found in HIM.
With all HIS love,
mitzi
"Though HE slay me, yet will I trust in HIM."Job 13:15
"Have we come to the place where GOD can withdraw HIS blessings and it does not affect our trust in HIM?" Oswald Chambers
"Though HE slay me, yet will I trust in HIM."Job 13:15
"Have we come to the place where GOD can withdraw HIS blessings and it does not affect our trust in HIM?" Oswald Chambers
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| Our Young Women's Group "Cornerstone" did a Great Job Singing at our Conference |
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