"Lodge of Love"

"Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart having been born again not of corruptible seed but incorruptible..." 1 Peter 1:22-23


Dear Friends,

This past Saturday afternoon, our family was invited to a get together. Do you remember the friend who helped me walk up the ramp to the "Top of Old Smoky?" That's the friend who invited us...Bebe and her husband were having a get together for the staff and some of the volunteers who helped out with the Parker campaign. Maybe we got invited cause she felt sorry for me that I couldn't walk up the ramp to Clingman's Dome by myself:). Bebe gave me the directions earlier in the week how to get to her house, telling me she lived in a green lodge looking house which was up on a mountain in southeast Huntsville, about 45 minutes from where I live...if you take the direct route. Hannah Beth and I left our house plenty early cause we had a few errands to run( Dollar Tree, Target, Family CHRISTian Bookstore), before we got there. After we finished our errands, we found ourselves winding along up the mountain road that leads up to the top of the mountain. Right away I turned left when we reached the top, when I should have turned right...and I had just got through calling Bebe and asking directions again cause I left mine at home. Hannah Beth saw a sign that pointed us in the right direction so we turned around and got on the right road. As we drove past the Nature Trail, and kept going and going, down the mountain, I thought, "I think we've gone too far and we had." I called Bebe again, and she gave me directions again, and told me to be careful to make the hairpin curve to the left before I got to her house or I'd run off the mountain. Wow, she was right about that...it was a hairpin turn that led you straight off the mountain! There were no guard rails there either to keep you from going over. There just across from the curve was this beautiful green, lodge of a mountain home on the side of the mountain. I was expecting a smaller green lodge looking house, but this really looked like a lodge! Dangling from the rails of the deck on the second story were white CHRISTmas lights to brighten up the cloudy and cold afternoon. Bebe and her husband had been on the deck making preparations for their guest when we arrived and came to greet us at the front door with a very warm and friendly greeting. Wow, was all I could say, what a beautiful home. Bebe invited us in and introduced us to her granddaughter who had been helping her grandmother and granddaddy get ready for the gathering that evening.

Hannah Beth and I arrived earlier than the others because we had talked about going hiking if Bebe was where she could go, but she was still getting ready, so we stayed there to help out. We ditched the hike on the mountain(and I will look forward to that another time), and hiked over thru their "lodge" of a home. I love rustic outdoor woodsy stuff so this was right down my alley. Our bedroom at home is kind of decorated like a room in a lodge with hickory wood floors, a quilt that has canoes, bears, and mountains on it, and decor on the walls with a mountain scene, bears, canoes, etc. We have a stand in the corner of our room with rod and reels. Bebe's house was right down my alley. No wonder me and Bebe hit it off:). Her kitchen was huge, with oak cabinets lining 4 walls, a sink by the window and another sink on a large table in the middle of the kitchen for preparing food. There was lots and lots of counter space and it was amazingly clean...I said that because my counters at home don't stay amazingly clean, but amazingly cluttered. In the large dining area was a huge wooden table that would seat close to two dozen folks or more. Bebe told us someone in their church, I think, made it for them, along with the beautiful oak mantels that were above their fireplaces, one inside the den and the other fireplace outside on the deck. The ceilings inside were really tall with large wide beams, with a loft overlooking the den. As we walked out on the deck which gave a great view of that hairpin turn overlooking the mountain, BeBe and her husband were working on getting a roaring fire going in the fireplace. Later on we roasted marshmallows out there. While we waited for the others to arrive, Bebe's husband offered to show us his "ManCave"- his corner of the world in their house. He led us downstairs and took we looked around the "cave" which had a full kitchen, recreational area with pool table, TV and lounge chair, and workshop. Then he showed us his TV room and large wrap around couch-pretty nice for a "CAVE." After the tour of the "cave," we went upstairs and toured the rest of the "lodge." In one bedroom were three beds, a big one, medium one, and little one...reminding me of Goldilocks and the three bears. Adjoining it was a room that used to be Bebe and her husband's Master bedroom, but I later learned that their Minister of Music and his family drives up from Birmingham and stays with them on the weekends...so Bebe and her husband have moved upstairs. Wow, that is love, giving up your bedroom. Bebe's granddaughter took over and finished our tour of the spacious home as Bebe's husband had to get back to grilling hotdogs and hamburgers. She showed us the large tile showers and I honestly lost the girls at one point, because the house was so big. Up over the garage is a bonus room, a large room with at least 9 beds, maybe more. The night before, Bebe's granddaughter had several of her friends over to spend the night, and Bebe said her granddaughter has friends over often to spend the night. This past week, Bebe was expecting 30 or so of her family to come and stay for Thanksgiving...down from 50 that are usually there.

During our tour, the guests started arriving with their yummy dishes to go with the burgers, like cheesy clam chowder soup, pineapple casserole, green bean casserole, all kinds of appetizers with shrimp, spinach dip, chips, and salads. Then there were delicious looking desserts including cherry cheesecake. We mingled around visiting with folks we had gotten to know during the campaign,and were glad to be reacquainted with old friends that we met from the first campaign back in 1994. What a sweet time of fellowship it was and a great opportunity to catch up with folks we hadn't seen in a few weeks, or several years. It's amazing to be going full speed working on a campaign, and all of the sudden just like that, you stop. It leaves a huge hole in your life and heart, and you miss those folks you've been working with so hard. Wayne and Lisa and their kids were there and what a blessing to get to visit with them, and thank them for running this race. This dear family had been called out by GOD , and they had laid down their lives and given it their all for the past several months. How thankful we were for their willingness to be on the "front lines," in this battle for good, and for all the sacrifices their family had made in so many ways. After John Eyster asked the blessing, we tried to get Wayne and Lisa to go first, and Wayne would not do it, preferring the women to go first. I think I saw him eventually at the back of the line...that's the kind of guy Wayne is because of CHRIST in him, laying down his life for the brethren, and putting others first. Hannah Beth and I found our way to the large wooden table that I mentioned earlier. We visited with a retired couple that Hannah Beth had worked with at the headquarters doing mailouts. While they talked, I moseyed back to the kitchen and visited with Bebe, Wayne and some others who were standing around. After supper was over, Hannah Beth and I walked out on the decked and hovered around the fire where some where roasting marshmallows. While we were there, one of the staff members the state republican party who had worked so hard on the campaign came out and we started talking. I told him I thought we were going to win this one and he said he did too. He shared how they teach them in school where he majored in Southern Politics at Mississippi St. that they aren't supposed to get close to who they're working for. I guess they're supposed to stay emotionally detached, but he said, try as he might, he had let himself get close to Wayne and this had been a really hard defeat for him personally because of the kind of who Wayne is...humble, honest, a man of integrity that loves CHRIST and people. We talked awhile longer and he was very kind telling how much the Student Project had been such a huge help and encouragement to the staff. While we talked with him, another dear person came out and before that night i had never really talked to her much though she has played a very vital role in all 3 campaigns. As she shared her heart about some struggles she was having, and her walk with CHRIST in the midst of it, I was so blessed by her conversation. Here she has had the opportunity to work with some of the most influential people in the world, through her job in Washington D.C. working for another Congressman, and she was just as down to earth as could be. Our hearts were drawn closer together through our love for CHRIST and sharing our weaknesses and HIS faithfulness to help us along this journey. It got pretty cold on that deck, even with the warm fellowship we were having and the fire burning in the fireplace. As it got colder, Hannah Beth and I went inside to say our goodbyes, and began our journey home. It was hard to leave cause I don't know when we will ever see some of these folks again this side of heaven. Some we had met in previous campaigns and the campaign is what GOD has used to bring our paths together, three of them now.

Earlier this week, I was reflecting on our wonderful evening of fellowship at Bebe's "Lodge." The Williams' home is definitely a "Lodge of Love," a place where love abounds and is shared with all those who enter its doors. Bebe and her husband had this house built with love in mind. With three grown kids that all have families of their own, they are at a season in life they could have downscaled...instead they built a home designed to accommodate large groups of people. From my experience Saturday night, the LORD is using Bebe and her husband, and their home to love on a lot of folks. Our particular bunch was still healing from a defeat a few weeks before...a defeat that really hurt. We hurt for our friends, Wayne and Lisa Parker, who seem so deserving to serve our district in Congress, but GOD has a different plan. Everyone in that house just about knew that in our head, 'It was GOD's will," but we were still working on getting that into our hearts. It was a good time just to be with everyone and talk, and let GOD continue to love on us through each other and continue to heal those wounds.

As I thought about that "Lodge of Love," it reminded me of what heaven's going to be like where JESUS is making preparations for HIS chosen ones. In fact, I started to name this email, "A Taste of Heaven," because our fellowship and surroundings that night was a little bit of heaven on earth for me. 'Lodge of Love" popped in my mind and I felt like that's what the HOLY SPIRIT wanted me to call it instead. JESUS told his disciples in John 14:1-3, "Let not your heart be troubled (our hearts were troubled by the outcome of the elections); believe in GOD, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you, for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." That "Lodge of Love," in heaven, is a place HE is preparing right now, for HIS children, to dwell in forever and ever. "... You have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living GOD. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven," Hebrews 12: 22-23. Our "Lodge of Love" in heaven is a place where we will be with our LORD and SAVIOR face to face, no more walking by faith as we have had to do on earth. We will understand all those mysteries when we get there like why did GOD lead Wayne Parker to run three times and he didn't win? GOD will have all the answers...and show us HIS plans and purposes. This is the time we have to trust HIM, WHO is so trustworthy, and we can't always understand the reason "why," this side of heaven. There will be no more pain, no more tears, no more sorrow or suffering and we will enjoy the perfect fellowship of our brother's and sister in CHRIST who have gone on before us. "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,"Now the dwelling of GOD is with men, and HE will live with them. They will be HIS people, and GOD HIMself will be with them and be their GOD. HE will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain,for the old order of things has passed away" Rev. 21:3-4. What a sweet, sweet time of fellowshipping that will be...forever and ever. We will be singing praises to GOD our FATHER who loves us "with an everlasting love,"Jer.31:3 and Who sent HIS Son to earth to die on a wooden cross so that shall not p"whosoever believes in HIM perish but have everlasting life," John 3:16. I am looking forward to that "Lodge of Love" in heaven and being with CHRIST and my grandparents, aunts and uncles, and friends who are ones already there enjoying their reward in heaven. And there will be a feast up there, the marriage supper of the LAMB, with all kinds of scrumptious food, and we'll probably sit around a big table like we did at the "Lodge of Love." "Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!" Rev. 19:9. My thorn in the flesh here has served me well to help keep me uncomfortable enough in this world, that the "Lodge of Love" above looks wonderful. The older I get, the more dear the love that CHRIST has for me and has shed abroad that love in our hearts for one another becomes more dear to me. I can't imagine how glorious that love is going to be in heaven when we have perfect love for each other. There'll be no more misunderstandings, unforgiviness, arguments, or hurt feelings, just pure love for one another, truly a "Lodge of Love."

A couple of nights ago, Bebe emailed me and she was told me she hoped I didn't forget the way to her house cause she wanted us to get together for that hike we missed Saturday evening. I emailed her back and told her I wouldn't forget how to get back to her house..well, on second thought, maybe I shouldn't have spoken so confidently:). As I thought about getting lost on the way to her "Lodge of Love," it put sadness in my heart, as I thought of those who are lost or lonely, separated in this world from CHRIST, because of their sins. They don't know the way to the eternal "Lodge of Love," CHRIST and HIS heaven. Some have never heard how to get their name in the Lamb's Book of Life that is required for our entrance to heaven, like my friend last week, Michelle. GOD used HIS Word in a bad movie to lead her on a desperate search to find her way to CHRIST. As she read HIS WORD, and went to a Bible study, she learned she had to believe that CHRIST died for her, rose from the dead, and repent of her sins. Since JESUS came into her life many years ago, when she knelt in her home and prayed to receive HIM, she has been a beacon of CHRIST's light, showing the lost the way to "The Lodge of Love." In John 14:6 JESUS says, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man comes to the FATHER except through Me." JESUS, our Creator, the Lover of our Souls, our dear Savior who poured HIS life out to death for you and me, WHO was resurrected on the third day, and was seen by over 500 eyewitnesses, is the ONLY WAY, to the FATHER, there is no other road to this "LODGE of LOVE." "...CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that HE was buried, that HE was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that HE appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, HE appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time," I Cor. 15:3-6. All other roads lead to Hell, and fiery flames that burn the souls of those outside of CHRIST forever and ever..."where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched." Mark 9:48. CHRIST has left each one of HIS chosen ones here to be a "Lodge of Love," through CHRIST living in our hearts, to share HIS love with others and show the way to HIM. Oftentimes, GOD enlarges our "Lodge of Love," by allowing sufferings in our lives. Those difficult sufferings HE uses to enlarge our capacity to experience HIS wonderful love more, and allow HIM to love others more deeply through us. I felt that deep love Saturday night in the beautiful mountain lodge home of our friends who love CHRIST and share HIS love with all who enter their "Lodge." Truly the Williams home, as well as their hearts, is a "Lodge of Love."

Earlier this week my friend Sheila Heil shared with me a story called John 3:16, and it reminded me of the "Lodge of Love," that CHRIST uses to draw others to HIM.
John 3:16

A little boy was selling newspapers on the corner, the people were in and out of the cold.

The little boy was so cold that he wasn't trying to sell many papers. He walked up to a policeman and said, "Mister, you wouldn't happen to know where a poor boy could find a warm place to sleep tonight would you? You see, I sleep in a box up around the corner there and down the alley and it's awful cold in there for tonight. Sure would be nice to have a warm place to stay."

The policeman looked down at the little boy and said, "you go down the street to that big white house and you knock on the door.

When they come out the door you just say John 3:16, and they will let you in."

So he did. He walked up the steps and knocked on the door, and a lady answered. He looked up and said, "John 3:16.." The lady said, "Come on in, Son." She took him in and she sat him down in a split bottom rocker in front of a great big old fireplace, and she went off. The boy sat there for a while and thought to himself: John 3:16...I don't understand it, but it sure makes a cold boy warm.

Later she came back and asked him "Are you hungry?" He said, "Well, just a little. I haven't eaten in a couple of days, and I guess I could stand a little bit of food," The lady took him in the kitchen and sat him down to a table full of wonderful food. He ate and ate until he couldn't eat any more...Then he thought to himself: John 3:16...Boy, I sure don't understand it but it sure makes a hungry boy full.

She took him upstairs to a bathroom to a huge bathtub filled with warm water, and he sat there and soaked for a while. As he soaked, he thought to himself: John 3:16... I sure don't understand it, but it sure makes a dirty boy clean. You know, I've not had a bath, a real bath, in my whole life. The only bath I ever had was when I stood in front of that big old fire hydrant as they flushed it out. The lady came in and got him.. She took him to a room, tucked him into a big old feather bed, pulled the covers up around his neck, kissed him goodnight and turned out the lights. As he lay in the darkness and looked out the window at the snow coming down on that cold night, he thought to himself: John 3:16...I don't understand it but it sure makes a tired boy rested.

The next morning the lady came back up and took him down again to that same big table full of food. After he ate, she took him back to that same big old split bottom rocker in front of the fireplace and picked up a big old Bible.

She sat down in front of him and looked into his young face. "Do you understand John 3:16?" she asked gently. He replied, "No, Ma'am, I don't. The first time I ever heard it was last night when the policeman told me to use it," She opened the Bible to John 3:16 and began to explain to him about Jesus. Right there, in front of that big old fireplace, he gave his heart and life to Jesus.

He sat there and thought: John 3:16......don't understand it, but it sure makes a lost boy feel safe.

You know, I have to confess I don't understand it either, how God was willing to send His Son to die for me, and how Jesus would agree to do such a thing. I don't understand the agony of the Father and every angel in heaven as they watched Jesus suffer and die. I don't understand the intense love for ME that kept Jesus on the cross till the end. I don't understand it, but it sure does make life worth living.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

When we share HIS blessings and love with others, GOD supernaturally uses that love to draw others to HIM, whether it be those who don't know CHRIST or those of who do, ..."love never fails," I Cor.13:8. Often times it takes more than just sharing a Bible verse with someone to lead someone to CHRIST...it takes food, a warm bed, a warm touch, a caring smile, and the laying down of our lives in a plethora of ways to build a bridge from their heart to HIS. It takes "JESUS with flesh on"...and we are "JESUS with flesh on" to everyone we meet. Week after week, our pastor and his wife and family, open their home up on Friday nights to our young people, not only in our church, but anyone who will come. They cook for them, provide them a place to hang out, teach them the Word of GOD, and love on them. The love that they show our young folks is bearing fruit in our church family, as each week it seems more and more young couples and singles are coming to our church, coming to know CHRIST, growing in HIM through a loving church family, and being a witness for CHRIST during the week...and I am very thankful to their ministry to my own children.

I know my heart has been refreshed and encouraged by the love we experienced at the Williams "Lodge of Love," last week. ..encouraged to love others with love in action, not just words, love that feeds others, for the physical body and spiritually, provides their needs( the Williams had a huge closet full of blankets, sheets, and pillows, just for their guests comfort) and makes them feel loved. Love that takes time to listen to others, encourage them, pray with those who are hurting, and share GOD's Word to give them hope. I desire GOD to use my heart, our home and our family more to be a "Lodge of Love," to show others the way to CHRIST. We don't have to have a huge house ...but we do have to have yielded hearts and a heart full of CHRIST's love. CHRIST can use our hearts to be a "Lodge of Love" to reach out and share HIS love to those who are "searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me."

Casting Crowns sings a song called, "Does Anybody Hear Her," that reminds me of those who are lost and don't know CHRIST, those who are "searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me." I was like that before I knew CHRIST ,"running a 100 miles an hour in the wrong direction," when GOD used my college basketball coach to love me and cause me to "thirst" for what she had...what she had was a personal relationship with JESUS CHRIST that flowed out into everything she did...the way she coached, lived her life, and loved her players. She opened up her heart her home, her "Lodge of Love," and her life to us players and shared GOD's love with us. GOD eventually drew me in...and saved my soul. You can see the video to "Does Anybody Hear Her," by clicking on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhOJW4Uwy3c .



At our wedding, 25 years ago, we had a song sung as a prayer, called "Take Our Love, LORD". I don't remember who wrote the words, but the song fits perfectly with CHRIST taking our love, our hearts and our homes and making them a "Lodge of Love." This song, this prayer was a desire that GOD put in our hearts from the beginning of our marriage. HE has answered this prayer and desire through the years in our lives to share HIS love with others,not always in the ways we thought HE would, but in the ways that HE knew best. We have often fallen short and missed many opportunities, but HE continues to work in our lives to answer our prayers, and our hearts desires...to be a "Lodge of Love." We are a work in progress, a "Lodge" still very much under construction:)...that desires to share HIS love with those around us. Thank you, Bebe and Larry for sharing your "Lodge of Love," with us and warming our hearts with CHRIST's love on a cold night.

With all HIS love and a Thankful Heart,

mitzi



"Take our Love LORD, make it YOURS"

Take our love LORD, make it YOUR love
Take our love LORD, make it YOUR love
Take our love LORD, make it YOUR love
Take it all LORD, make it YOURS.

Take our heart LORD, make it YOUR heart
Take our heart LORD, make it YOUR heart
Take our heart LORD, make it YOUR heart
Take it all LORD make it YOURS.

Take our home LORD, make it YOUR home
Take our home LORD, make it YOUR home
Take our home LORD, make it YOUR home
Take it all LORD, make it YOURS.

"O soul of mine, be extravagant in love of JESUS!" -Springs in the Valley, Nov.27

"On Top of Old Smoky" Part 2

"You did not choose ME but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the FATHER in MY name, HE may give to you." John 15:16

Dear Friends

All that the believer has must come from CHRIST, but it comes solely through the channel of the Spirit of grace. Moreover, as all blessings thus flow to you through the HOLY SPIRIT, so also no good thing can come out of you in holy thought, devout worship, or gracious actions, apart from the sanctifying operation of the same SPIRIT.-Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Nov. 21


When I was a little girl and teenager growing up in the United Methodist church, we used to sing the song, "I have decided to follow JESUS, I have decided to follow JESUS, I have decided to follow JESUS, no turning back, no turning back" When I was around 8 years old, I remember stirrings in my heart during our church services that yearned for something more in my life that just a church service but I didn't know exactly what that yearning was at that time. I now realize, even at that tender age, GOD had put a hole in my heart, that only HE could fill, so that I would yearn for HIM. When I was about 10 years old, our neighbors invited us to their Vacation Bible School, and at the pastor's urging at the end of the little sermon he gave, I went up the aisle to "accept JESUS" as my LORD and SAVIOR. When I was 12, I was "confirmed" in the Methodist church. Several of my friends and I went through a "doctrine class" for several weeks." At the end of that time, we all went up to the altar and got "confirmed"...and to be honest I'm not sure what that means. I know there was no change in my life at that point. During my teenage years there were various crusades around our area, and I made the rounds at those too, going up at the altar calls, trying to make sure I was "in CHRIST." It wasn't until many years later when GOD really did save me, and change me, and give me a new heart, that I have come to realize that I wasn't "a new creature" in CHRIST until I was almost 20 years old. As I shared last week, nothing was changed the next day after all these times of "deciding to follow JESUS" until GOD chose me, at HIS appointed time, to become HIS child. That appointed time was at the age of 19, at a Youth Revival at Central Baptist Church in Decatur, Al. The "call" that I responded to, was not even for salvation...it was a challenge to "marry only a CHRISTian, date only a CHRISTian, and save my body for marriage." That was what I thought I was responding to, when JESUS CHRIST changed me forever. I remember as the preacher invited anyone who wanted to do that to come down front and make it public. I was grasping to the back of the pew in front of me. I wanted to do that, make these commitments to honor CHRIST in my body, dating life and future marriage, although I had already failed miserably at the first two commitments, but I was still wrestling.in my pew. Finally, the HOLY SPIRIT took me up front, just me and HIM, and that's when CHRIST gave me a new heart, gave me HIS HOLY SPIRIT, a new direction, a new place to spend eternity, and cleansed me from all my sins through HIS blood that HE shed for me on the cross. I knew all those answers since I was old enough to know about JESUS since our parents were faithful to raise us in church, but I didn't know HIM personally until then. I felt so cleansed and pure, and a joy that I had never, ever known before. This was the beginning of a new journey for me, the journey "to the TOP," and the HOLY SPIRIT immediately began teaching me through helping me understand GOD's WORD like i never had before, and bringing people into my life to help me learn and grow as a CHRISTian. Without HIS help to progress in this journey, daily, I would turn around and could do nothing.

I wrote last week about "Clingman's Dome," and how the LORD sent me a helper, to assist me to the "Top of Old Smoky." A dear friend from here, that "happened" to be walking up the ramp, as I was coming down after making it halfway and turning around, assisted me to the "Top of Old Smoky." I have been thinking so much about the HOLY SPIRIT's help in my life to help me on my journey "to the Top," including how HE brings us to CHRIST, as I shared above, and how HE helps us once we are "in CHRIST." Last week, I shared a few ways the HOLY SPIRIT helps us and now it seems that each time I read my Bible HE shows me more and more ways that HE helps me.

Holy Spirit Draws us to CHRIST
The reason I started out with that song and that testimony of me "deciding to follow JESUS," over and over as a child, and young person, is because it's become very clear to me, the older I get as a CHRISTian, that I've come to realize, I didn't "decide to follow JESUS," on this journey "to the Top." HE chose me, and the HOLY SPIRIT drew me to HIM. "No one can come to ME, unless the FATHER who sent ME draws him," JESUS says, in John 6:44. "Blessed be the GOD and FATHER our LORD JESUS CHRIST, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in CHRIST, just as HE chose us in HIM before the foundation of the world..." says Paul in Ephesians 1:3,4. JESUS said to his disciples in John 15 :16, "You did not choose me, I chose you...to go and bear fruit..."

HOLY SPIRIT Bears Fruit
Bearing fruit is another way the HOLY SPIRIT helps us in our lives. Galatians 5:22-23 says "The fruit of the SPIRIT is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Do you know how we can know that the HOLY SPIRIT is truly living inside of us? By examining the fruit that our lives bear through HIS SPIRIT...Is my life characterized by love...joy...peace...patience...kindness...goodness...faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? I can tell you, I stumble in these different areas daily...but the HOLY SPIRIT is ever producing this fruit, in increasing amounts in the lives of true children of GOD. Through the HOLY SPIRIT in us, and the gifts HE gives us, HE uses us to encourage and help others along their journey "to the top," by discipling, encouraging, and helping those CHRIST brings into our lives.

HOLY Spirit Bears Witness We are Children of GOD
Last week I shared with you one of the amazing things about the Spirit is how when you can meet a stranger, and feel like you know that person and have a common bond with them within minutes because you both have the HOLY SPIRIT living inside you...."The Spirit HIMSELF bears witness with our Spirit that we are the children of GOD, and if children heirs -heirs of GOD and joint heirs with CHRIST." Romans 8:16,17. As I read in the Springs in the Valley this week, I am reminded as heirs of GOD, the privilege that is ours as HIS son's and daughter's to come and ask of HIM, our dear "Abba, FATHER..." which literally means..."Daddy, Daddy." "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will have give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?...If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly FATHER give the HOLY SPIRIT to them that ask HIM? Luke 11:11-13. I mentioned last week that the HOLY SPIRIT helps us pray when we don't know what we ought to pray...Romans 8:26, "...The SPIRIT himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."

JESUS uses HIS HOLY SPIRIT to convict us of our sins, and helps us to forgive those who sin against us. "And when HE (the HOLY SPIRIT) has come, HE will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness and judgment." John 16:8. I know that I was convicted by the HOLY SPIRIT of my sins much before CHRIST invaded my life and changed me...and thankfully, as HIS child on the road "to the Top," HIS HOLY SPIRIT inside me continues to convict me of my sin daily. I am convicted by the HOLY SPIRIT that as a young CHRISTian, I was more sensitive to sin in some areas than I am now. Neglecting GOD's Word will make us callous to sin that we once were very sensitive to and makes it easy for bitterness to creep into our lives. The HOLY SPIRIT helps keep our hearts tender, as we obey CHRIST's Word. He gives us the strength to forgive others when they have sinned against us, the way CHRIST forgives us when we sin against HIM. Jesus said on the Sermon on the Mount, "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your FATHER will not forgive your sins." Psalm 119:9 says, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to YOUR Word." John MacArthur shares in his One Year Bible that the Holy Spirit purifies our lives by means of the WORD of GOD and is a picture of the New Covenant, "But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the LORD," I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their GOD and they shall be MY people,"Jeremiah 31:33. "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances." Ezekiel 25-27. If you have ever been confused what the New Covenant is like I was until recently...that's it in the above passages. It is CHRIST giving us a new heart, in exchange for our heart's of stone, and putting HIS SPIRIT in us and causing us to walk in HIS statutes. HE is our GOD and we are HIS people, the sheep of HIS pasture...hum, does that sound like, "I have decided to follow JESUS?" IT is so comforting to me to know "GOD has set HIS love on us and HE chooses us. In Deut. 7:7, it states," The LORD did not set HIS love upon you and choose you, because you were more in number than any other people...but because the LORD loves you." What a wonderful assurance to know this for ourselves and bask in HIS love for us.
These passages give me peace that when I have been obedient and shared CHRIST with someone, it's not up to me for them to come to know CHRIST, that is the role of the HOLY SPIRIT. Only HE can draw them, and choose them, and give them a new heart. I can pray with them the "sinner's prayer," a jillion times, but unless the HOLY SPIRIT is drawing them, they aren't going to be "reborn" when they finish praying. I can give them a false sense of security that they are "reborn", when really they aren't. My role is to be obedient and tell others about JESUS...and invite them to CHRIST. But if HE has not prepared the soil of their hearts to receive HIM at that time, that frees me up to love them and sometimes this involves a great cost to us. Paul who knew the price of bringing others to CHRIST when he said, " I will very gladly spend and be expended for your souls," 2 Cor 12:15. What price I am willing to pay for others to come to know CHRIST? JESUS paid the ultimate price for me and calls me to "follow in HIS steps." He calls us to pray for them, and accept them right where they are walking and patiently "wait on the LORD" to work in their life as HE has been patient with me in my life.

In last week's email, I shared it wouldn't matter if I "chickened out," and didn't make it "to the Top of Old Smoky," which I didn't without Bebe's help. But it does matter, very much, if in this life of faith, this journey to "Heaven," if I grieve the HOLY SPIRIT and turn around, becoming involved in sin, or loose faith, and discourage those around me...it matters tremendously. Earlier this week, in our family devotions, we read of how our faith in CHRIST will influence future generations. John MacArthur shared how he was blessed with a wonderful CHRISTian heritage, and he shared examples from the Bible of Abraham. Though Sarah became impatient and Abraham disobeyed GOD, Abraham believed that GOD would keep HIS promise and GOD honored Abraham's faith by giving him Isaac and descendants too numerous to count. John MacArthur shared that one man's faith, Abraham's, literally changed the world and that the faith we use today will influence others tomorrow. He encouraged me, that even despite our failures, GOD, "is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us," Ephesians 3:20. And that power, is the HOLY SPIRIT. I was convicted by HIM of some areas that I used to be more diligent in guard my heart and how I grieve the HOLY SPIRIT, and quench the HOLY SPIRIT, when I ignore HIS promptings and willfully sin. Eph. 4:30 says, "Do not grieve (to give or cause sorrow) the Holy Spirit with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption," and I Thes. 5:19 says, "Do not quench the Holy Spirit." I have also been convicted this week of some areas of my life that I used to be more zealous for serving CHRIST. As the years have gone by, I have become "sleepy," in some areas like those guys in Pilgrim's Progress that laid down by the side of the road and went to sleep on their journey to heaven. The HOLY SPIRIT warns me to "wake up," and GOD uses HIS HOLY SPIRIT in me, and in you, to encourage us, and keep pressing on. Last week's email was convicting to me, and continues to be, as I desire to get back that "FIRST LOVE" for CHRIST that I used to have...when telling folks that I met about JESUS was foremost in my mind, instead of on the backburner, when leaving a tract at a restaurant or wherever we might be was a way of life for me, instead of forgetting about leaving them at all.

Sometimes, it's easy for us to become discouraged on our journey "to the Top," and forget that the HOLY SPIRIT is helping us. CHRIST loves us so much and has sent HIS HOLY SPIRIT to help us...If you think you're not doing a great job at witnessing just read what GOD used to lead my friend, Michelle Pavlik, to CHRIST many years ago.

I talked with a friend, earlier this week, and her zeal to share CHRIST, through the power of the HOLY SPIRIT, is so very evident. Michelle teaches drama through our homeschool covering at church, and as we visited at our pastor's daughter's bridal shower, Tuesday night, she was bubbling over telling me about their recent play and how CHRIST was shared through it. Michelle and her husband, mother, sister, and friend, that she and her husband witnessed to many years ago and came to know CHRIST, all attend our church. As she and I talked she said, "We waste so much time talking about things that don't matter, and we never know if that person that GOD brought across our paths may not live the next few moments." As she shared her testimony with me,(and she gave me permission to share it with you) she told me how she and her husband were raised Catholic, and didn't know that CHRIST had died on the cross to save them for their sins...they didn't know they were in danger of burning in hell forever for their sins. One night she and her husband took their two young daughter's to see a movie, "The Omen." She said she thought the movie was about animals. The HOLY SPIRIT used a scene from that movie, where the priest read a passage from Revelation which started her on a frantic search..."and nothing unclean and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life"...she had to know how to get her name in that book. Only the HOLY SPIRIT could put that desire in her that intense. She went home and found her Mother's huge Bible and read 22 chapters in it searching how to get her name in the Lamb's Book of Life. When she did learn more about what CHRIST had done for her to give her eternal life, at a Bible study her brother was having (she had never been invited because they just thought she was too "bad" and it was useless to invite her), her heart was gripped with conviction. She went home and accepted CHRIST in her bedroom, and her husband did the same thing in another room. Now I don't recommend using "The Omen," for a witnessing tool:), but the point is, GOD can use what HE will to save someone...and HE used HIS WORD, through the HOLY SPIRT, in that movie to start her searching for HIM.

Isn't it amazing how GOD can take a movie like that, and use it for good (HIS WORD in it) to bring not only her and her husband to CHRIST, but their family members, and their kids, grandkids, and all the tons of other folks they have had the opportunity to share CHRIST and HIS redeeming love with through the years. "In this the love of GOD was made manifest among us, that GOD sent HIS only Son into the world, so that we might live through HIM. In this is love, not that we have loved GOD but that HE loved us and sent HIS SON to be the propitiation for our sins...So we have come to know and to believe the love that GOD has for us. GOD is love." ! John 4:9,10,16. My friend was telling me that at the time she and her husband were saved, they were working in a bar in Chicago. She would be telling people in the bar they were going to hell if they didn't accept CHRIST, and serving them drinks:). Isn't GOD so gracious and good to us... to use us as baby CHRISTians, wherever we are...HE doesn't clean us up before HE saves us...HE loves us "Just as I Am." They were so on fire for CHRIST, and still are, they witnessed on the streets up there, they had a ministry to priests and nuns telling them that they were going to hell if they didn't accept JESUS CHRIST as their LORD and SAVIOR. Their family, who used to didn't want to be around them for her bad mouth before she was saved, now didn't want to be around them because at their Italian Catholic gatherings, all she wanted to talk about was JESUS, and witness to them! When JESUS gets a hold of you and changes you, look out....a true believer cannot not share CHRIST with others. Nowadays, Michelle, and her husband conduct Bible studies in their home on Sat. night, she encourages and disciples women in their upward journey in CHRIST, just as the JESUS commanded us too in Matthew 28:19-20, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the FATHER and of the SON and of the HOLY SPIRIT, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." She told me about a website that teaches us how to effectively share CHRIST with those the LORD brings into our lives that Kirk Cameron narrates and John MacArthur endorses, called www.thewayofthemaster.com.

This Thanksgiving, I am so very thankful for each one of you and the way the HOLY SPIRIT loves me through you and uses you in so many different ways to bear fruit for HIM. I am thankful for the gift of HIS dear HOLY SPIRIT, to help each one of us in so many ways in our upward "journey to the Top." As I think about what it cost my FATHER to give us this GIFT through the death of HIS SON, on Calvary, I am humbled, and cannot take it all in. "How Deep the FATHER's Love for Us,"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjD0lv8hx5o, is a beautiful song that shares how much our FATHER loves us and what it costs HIM to give us this GIFT of HIS HOLY SPIRIT and the gift of forgiveness for our sins. I cannot begin to comprehend the depth of HIS love for me and you. But I know this, I will praise HIM and thank HIM, through the gift of HIS HOLY SPIRIT, for HIS forgiveness for my sins, and HIS wonderful love to me, as long as I have life and breath. Happy Thanksgiving!

With all HIS love,
mitzi




How Deep the FATHER's LOVE for Us by Stuart Townsend


How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

"On Top of Old Smokey"

"I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do-it is my one aspiration: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which GOD in CHRIST JESUS is calling us upward." Philippians 3:13-14

"But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the FATHER will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall-will remind you of, bring to your remembrance, everything that I have told you." John 14:26 Amplified

Dear Friends,

A couple of weekends ago, right before the election, the LORD opened up the opportunity for my husband and me to go to the Smoky Mountains together...just the two of us. The kids were involved in the Student Project for the Parker campaign, and our dear friends, the Greene's, were singing at Dollywood for the last two days of the Gospel Music Festival. It was one of those desires that I had tucked away in my heart for months, but didn't know if we'd be able to do it or not. The LORD was gracious, and after a very busy week for both of us, my husband and I took off on Friday morning for the beautiful trip up to the mountains. It takes us about 4 hours to get there, and we made it in time for me to see the Greene's sing for the last show for the day at Dollywood. What a dear blessing to see our friends and hear them sing encouragement to my heart through their songs of the LORD. That night we rode up to Gatlinburg and ate at "Bubba Gump's" restaurant. The streets were packed for Halloween, families and young folks mingling up and down the streets in their costumes, trick or treating at the stores along the way who were giving away candy.

The next morning I was up bright and early, and decided to go for a walk while I was waiting on my husband to get ready. Instead of taking the sidewalks in front of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, Cracker Barrel, and tons of other eating joints nearby, I decided to climb a steep hill behind our motel. I haven't done that in a long, long time, and skidded downward a few times, but I made it to the top breathing pretty heavily. I walked through the woods at the top of the hill and found a beautiful cove right behind where we were staying. There were several large pastures where cows were grazing, and trees surrounding them...it was so peaceful right behind that strip where all the traffic and stores were located. I walked over to some backroads and made a big square, eventually ending up walking back past the Pancake House, which we hit on Sunday morning, Krispy Kreme, which I've never been to up there, and Cracker Barrel. When I got back from exploring, Johnny was up and getting ready to make the Greene's morning and noon show. Taranda sang Johnny's favorite, "My Redeemer," by Nicole C. Mullen,and mine, "GOD is Singing over Me." Tony sang a song that has become so real to me the older and slower I get, "I Can't Even Walk Without YOU Holding My Hand." Belle, their four year old, sang, 'You Are My Sunshine," and "Their Ain't No Bugs Crawling on Me," and did such a sweet job with that...I gave her a big hug afterwards and checked to make sure she didn't have any bugs crawling on her:).

After visiting a few minutes with the Greene's afterwards, and getting goodbye hugs, we decided to head up Newfound Gap Road out of Gatlinburg and ride through the mountains. The leaves were absolutely gorgeous up there, and the call of the wild was luring me away from Dollywood to the beautiful mountains. We had to make a quick stop by the room, and as we did, we decided to take a nap first. Auburn was playing football on TV, so I told Johnny when we woke up that I didn't mind riding up to the mountains if he wanted to stay there and rest and watch the game. He was very kind and planned to go with me, but I knew that just as I would enjoy the leaves, he would enjoy resting that afternoon. So, away I went, not having a clue where I was going, I just was planning to drive up the mountains...me and forty cajillion other folks that day. I have never been up there when it's been so packed on the Newfound Gap Road that leads up to the top of the Smoky Mountains out of Gatlinburg. There were a lot of folks who wanted to see the beautiful leaves, and folks were out hiking, and pulled off on the sides of the road where there were overlooks, taking pictures of themselves and the leaves and mountains. I'm sorry i didn't have our normal camera with us, HB had it with her, and couldn't find the other camera (it was under the seat in the car so you'll just have to use your imagination). As I got about 2/3 up the mountain, all of the sudden the red, yellow and orange leaves looked like they had already all fallen to the ground. Later I realized that those trees that I thought the leaves had fallen off were dead. These trees, spruce firs, are dying due to being attacked by the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid, a small aphidlike insect that the park has been battling for years up there, and acid rain. Up near the top of the mountain, there was snow on the ground from the snowfall a few days before, and kids were making snowballs and throwing them at each other as I eased up the mountain. The diverse scenery from the autumn leaves to the snowfall was so pretty. All of the sudden in just a matter of minutes and miles I had gone from fall to winter. The ice sickles hanging down from the side of the rocks on the mountains were beautiful too.

As I got near the top, I decided to drive up to Clingman's Dome, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clingmans_Dome , the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at 6,641 feet. I had never been there before, but I had seen pictures of the Dome in books. >From the pictures ( you can click on the web site for a picture of it ) I knew that it would be a challenge for me to actually make it to the top of the Dome...not from the aspect of hiking, but overcoming my "fear of heights." I drove the narrow winding mountain road seven more miles, and when I arrived at the top, many other folks had the same idea that gorgeous day. After parking, I began walking up the pretty steep 1/2 mile paved path to Clingman's Dome. There were several places to stop and rest, which folks were doing, but I trudged slowly on and finally made it to Clingman's Dome. I stood at the bottom and looked at the tall tower that had a ramp winding up it to the top. This "ramp" was my weakness. With nothing underneath it, the higher I got the more panicky I would get. I looked at it, and since I was by myself, I thought, why don't I go ahead and try it. It won't matter if I chicken out, nobody is here to see me anyway. So I began to walk up the ramp, and got about half way up,when that old familiar feeling started setting in...panic. I slowed down and after wrestling with myself a few minutes, I decided to turn back around. As I was walking back down the ramp, suddenly I saw Bebe Williams, my dear friend I made through the Parker campaign! I knew Bebe was up in the mountains that week but the miracle of GOD leading our paths together for that moment in time was just amazing to the both of us. I told Bebe about my attempted climb to the top and she immediately grabbed my arm and said "Come on, I'll help you get there." That's the kind of dear person Bebe is...whether it was the Parker campaign where Bebe was the Volunteer Coordinator for the 3rd campaign and whose administrative, organizing skills and love for people just supernaturally flowed through her, or spending time with her husband and son's family in the mountains, she is a person whose desire is to "help you make it to the top." Now I was on Bebe's arm, and she was instructing me to look down at the pavement as we walked. She began telling me about the time that she was a firefighter and she had a rappelling maneuver as part of the requirements of her job. For three years she couldn't do it because she was afraid of the heights, and then one day she decided to try it at a lower height, 25 feet. After conquering that, she was able to go on and make the requirement for the rappelling part of her job. While she talked, we walked up the ramp, I looked down, and before you know it, we had made it to the top. Once up there, I was fine, my fear had left me...it was just that ramp on the way up that was my "Achilles heel." Wow, what an absolute blessing and feeling of accomplishment! I had made it to the top of the Smokies, and was looking out over those beautiful mountains! Once up there, I met Bebe's husband and son and family and took pictures of them with their camera. After a little while of looking out over those beautiful Smoky Mountains, Bebe told her family to go on down and she would join them in a few minutes...she stayed behind so she and I could pray for the Parker campaign. It was hard for both of us to be away from all "battlefield" that weekend of the campaign, but we could bring it and the Parkers before the LORD together right there on "top of Old Smoky" and that's what we did. After Bebe prayed, we walked down the ramp together, and thankfully I had no problems whatsoever going down. I was so thankful that GOD had sent this dear friend along to help me "make it to the top of Old Smoky." I hadn't thought about that song in years until just now. I looked it up and didn't think the lyrics fit too well with this:), but Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Top_Of_Old_Smokey, said the song could be referring to "Clingman's Dome."

Later on, as i have reflected on this amazing encounter with Bebe to help me to the "Top of Old Smoky," a lot of thoughts have gone threw my head...the amazing direction of the LORD to lead our paths together that day was a "coincidence" that we knew was not a coincidence (in fact I don't believe in coincidences) but a powerful testimony to us of the LORD's divine direction in our lives and how HE leads our paths when we don't even realize it..."The mind of man plans his ways, but the LORD directs our steps." Proverbs 16:9. We both were very much reminded of this that day as we met in a the huge Smoky Mountains National Park, on a ramp, at a place I'd never been, for a time that certainly sealed our friendship as she helped me to the top of the Smokies. After we came down, and Bebe walked on down the hill with her family, I walked about 100 yards on the Appalachian Trail, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_Trail, where it was at it's highest point along the 2100 mile trail, just to say I had been on it. Now I have only 2, 174 miles and a few feet left to walk the whole trail:). When I saw the "High Level of Bear Activity" sign (3 miles ahead) and I had left my bear spray in the room, I thought that was a good place to turn around...Johnny has invested a lot of money in me for me to get eaten by a bear on "Top of Old Smoky:). Bebe has hiked 140 miles of the Appalachian Trail and wants me to join her sometimes, but I don't know about those bears:)...actually it's not the bears that I'm worried about...it's my allergies to the woods that would get me first:).

As i thought about Bebe helping me "to the top of Old Smoky", it occurred to me how this was a picture of the CHRISTian life. GOD uses us in each others lives to help us "make it to the top,"- Heaven, to encourage one another along this often difficult and rugged trail. I've written about that over and over in my emails, how GOD has used you and others along my journey to help me so very much, and how I love HIM and you and appreciate you so much for helping me and my family.

CHRIST also reminded me of another HELPER, HIMSELF, through the HOLY SPIRIT, that HE sends to indwell in us when saves us from our sins. Before we can even began to be on the trail to the top, the first step of the journey in faith is believing in the LORD JESUS CHRIST, that GOD sent HIM to die for your sins and mine, and that HE rose from the grave 3 days later. The amazing part about this is that before we come to know CHRIST we are dead spiritually. Unless the LORD draws us to HIM by HIS love and grace and gives us the faith to believe, we can't be saved. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of GOD, not as a result of works that no one should boast."Ephesians 2:8-9. At the same time, HE tells us, "And you will seek ME and find ME when you search from Me with all of your heart, I will be found by you, says the LORD..."Jeremiah 29:13-14. It is a supernatural work of the HOLY SPIRIT to come into our lives, and make us a new creature. In Ezekiel 11:19-20 GOD says, "Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, that they might walk in My statutes and keep MY judgments and do them; and they shall be MY people, and I will be their GOD."
It is a mystery, and a "Miracle in Me," as the HOLY SPIRIT comes and dwells in us, making us a new creature in CHRIST, changing us from our old fleshly desires, giving us new ones that glorify GOD, and helping us in our journey upward to make it "to the top." JESUS spoke often of HIS HELPER HE was sending to HIS disciples and to those of us who would come after them that HE chose to be HIS children.

In John 14:16 HE assured them, "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever."

JESUS told His disciples in John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you."

In John 16:7 He said, "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. "

"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come." John 16:13
As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. I John 2:27

"When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me." John 15:26



I remember when CHRIST gave me a new heart at 19. I had tried to change before from my sinful life...went to church, and was even the President of the Fellowship of CHRISTian Athletes at our college. But I couldn't change myself, no matter how much I willed to, I couldn't make myself a CHRISTian and stop doing the things I was doing. By this time in my life, I had walked the aisle many, many times at church, at revivals, and crusades and the next day I was always the same person. But not anymore...after CHRIST changed me that night I walked down the aisle at Central Baptist, I had a joy I had never known and felt like I had been cleansed in the River of Life, and I had! I had a new desire for everything that concerned the LORD...I didn't realize at the time this included everything in my life. Even though I had read my Bible through the years and even had daily devotions, it was just something I did. Now I wanted to read the Bible, and it was like the words came alive to me for the first time...and they did because the Holy Spirit, my HELPER, was helping me to understand GOD's WORD like I never had before. HE was living inside of me and teaching me. It was amazing. Suddenly it was as if the scales had fallen from my eyes, and they had.... As John Newton's beautiful hymn says: "I was blind but now I see,"and I could not get enough of the WORD in my life.

I remember before my husband became a CHRISTian, we were weren't married then, the HOLY SPIRIT taught me that I needed to separate myself from my boyfriend because he wasn't a CHRISTian and I didn't need to be around him. I don't know if I knew the verse yet in 2 Cor. 6:14 about not being bound with unbelievers, but the HOLY SPIRIT was teaching me that lesson from the beginning. Then HE threw a curve ball at me. My boyfriend (husband now), called me a month later and told me HE had accepted JESUS CHRIST in his basement reading the Bible. I was skeptical to say the least, and thought this was just a ploy to get me to go back to him (which I had done in the past over and over). But when I eventually saw him again, and when I talked to him, I could tell this was not the same guy that I had been dating for the past 4 years. Something radically different had change about him. The first thing the HOLY SPIRIT helped him do outwardly was clean up his mouth...wow, that was amazing, amazing grace...cause he had a really foul mouth after growing up "in jail,"-his Dad was the Sheriff and Johnny's playmates were the prisoners. He changed Johnny's heart, he was so much more gentle and patient, and just different. He looked different and he talked different. His priorities like mine changed immediately...He went from working out all the time, and being with friends who were bad influences,( course he was a bad influence on them too), to spending time at Dee and Sandy Bryan's house, new friends he met at First Baptist, who took him under their wing, and loved Johnny and taught him how to grow as a CHRISTian. He lost most of his old friends, cause they didn't want to hang around him anymore when he tried to witness to them and didn't do the things they did anymore. As a young CHRISTian, the HOLY SPIRIT taught him that he didn't need to be spending so much time with them, he needed to be getting stronger in the LORD and spending more time with CHRISTians at this point.
I remember being amazed at some of the things Johnny just seemed to know even though he had only been a CHRISTian for a short time. From the start, the HOLY SPIRIT has helped Johnny to be very discerning and most of the time very accurate about people's character. We were sitting in church one Sunday morning after we had been married for a short time, and he said something about someone that I didn't think nice or true at all. A few years down the road, even though that person was active in church at that time and seemed to be really growing in the LORD, he returned to the world of drugs and later died from drug abuse. The discernment the Holy SPIRIT gave to Johnny as a young CHRISTian proved to be true.
Another occasion I remember the HOLY SPIRIT teaching Johnny was about Halloween. I remember while I was a student at the University of Montevallo, Johnny telling me about the evils of Halloween for the first time. We weren't married then, or dating, but when he told me about the origins of Halloween and what goes on among witches during that time of the year, I doubted him and didn't see anything wrong with celebrating Halloween...I had done that all my life. The HOLY SPIRIT was teaching Johnny about all these things as a new CHRISTian and he was soaking them up...and trying to pass them on to me. As you can see, i have been a bit "stubborn and rebellious" in my upward journey, and sometimes, have had to learn lessons the hard way...through pain and suffering.

As an older CHRISTian in the LORD now, i am becoming more and more aware of how the HOLY SPIRIT leads and directs my paths, as HE did leading Bebe and i together that day. As I'm getting older, I am realizing more and more how I have to depend on the HOLY SPIRIT to help me in everything...and that's a good thing. The song I mentioned Tony Greene singing, "I Can't Even Walk without YOU Holding My Hand," reminds me of Bebe leading me, with my arm in hers, up that ramp to the" top of Old Smoky." The chorus says, "I can't even walk without YOU holding my hand, the mountains too high and the valley's too wide, Down on my knees is where I've learned to stand, LORD I can't even walk, without YOU holding my hand." The HOLY SPIRIT leads me by the hand on my upward journey. The LORD wants us to depend on HIM...not to be self sufficient and independent, like a child who thinks " i can do this all by myself," when in reality they depend on their parents to help them so very much. Believe me, that's sure the way I am turned naturally and HE has spent a lifetime teaching me to depend on HIM and not myself. I don't think as well as I used to or move as fast and I am comforted that the HOLY SPIRIT teaches me and leads me in what and where I need to be, and where my kids need to be. Wow, I'm glad we're nearing the end of our homeschool years...for their sake. But when I think about it, I had a bunch of struggles when they were little, and all along the way...that's why I praise the LORD and HIS HOLY SPIRIT for HIS help in our lives all through the years. HE has been so very faithful to be strong in my weaknesses.

Lately, I've been thinking about how the HOLY SPIRIT helps me by interceding for me, when i don't know what to pray for others. Romans 8:26 says,"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." What a comfort this is to my heart...i sure don't know how to pray accurately for myself or others, but i can trust the HOLY SPIRIT intercedes perfectly.

An amazing thing that has meant more and more to me through the years is the work of the HOLY SPIRIT in our lives to bear witness to one another that we are the children of GOD. Isn't it amazing how you can meet a complete stranger and talk with them a short time and feel like you've known them all your life...all because the HOLY Spirit living inside you bears witness with their Spirit that you both are children of GOD and you belong to the same family. "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God." Romans 8:16
I don't began to understand all the many unique and countless ways the HOLY SPIRIT helps us on our journey "to the Top"...I do know this and I am ashamed to admit it. I often forget the HOLY SPIRIT's role in my life and take what HE does for me for granted, and for others. As I have been led to think about the HOLY SPIRIT being my Helper on this journey, it has made me stop and think about how I am empowered by HIM to climb higher and help others do the same. I think about Peter and the other disciples in the New Testament and how afraid they were during the time of JESUS' crucifixion. We know that Peter denied JESUS three times before he died and most of the others fled when JESUS was taken away to be crucified. The disciples were hiding on the morning of HIS resurrection. But when JESUS empowered them with the HOLY SPIRIT on the day of Pentecost, they were changed forever, and went out boldly proclaiming CHRIST as the SAVIOR of the WORLD. Most of them were killed for their faith, as they boldly shared their faith throughout the Roman empire, but they didn't back down. The HOLY SPIRIT helped them to be bold and courageous...even unto death.

We are living in a day and time, when it is becoming more and more difficult to share CHRIST publicly and live for HIM without fear of persecution. We too are going to have to rely on our HELPER, the HOLY SPIRIT to empower us to be bold, strong, and courageous, and help us to walk faithfully to the end. There's a lot bigger challenges in this life than "fear of heights," but just as GOD used my friend to help me face and overcome that fear, HE uses HIS HOLY SPIRIT and each other to help us through this journey called LIFE. 2 Tim.1:7 says, "For GOD has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." As I write this, I am thinking of the importance more and more in our day and time of helping each "other to the Top," and relying on the HOLY SPIRIT in all situations...for HIS power, HIS love, and a sound mind to speak and think as we need to act as CHRISTIANS.

I don't know if you've ever had the privilege to read Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. It was written while he was a prisoner in Bedford, England for 12 years for preaching the gospel of JESUS CHRIST. He had a choice if he promised to quit preaching about JESUS he could be let out of jail. Though he had a dear wife, and blind daughter at home that he dearly loved, he could not stop telling others about the good news of JESUS CHRIST. GOD used his imprisonment to give us one of the greatest encouragement's of all time... the book Pilgrim's Progress, second only in it's popularity to the Bible. This story is all about the CHRISTian pilgrimage, the "journey to the Top," and the warfare, the forgiveness of our sins through the blood of JESUS CHRIST, and the dear encouragement of our fellow believers in JESUS CHRIST. I believe in my heart that we are facing some unprecedented days that we have seen in America as far as CHRISTian persecution goes, and more than ever we need to encourage and help one another to the "make it to the top." It is a time to be "'strong and courageous, not to be afraid, for the LORD your GOD will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

I bet you thought i was going to use a Greene's song this week, well, guess what I did too. But the HOLY SPIRIT has redirected a lot of what I was going to write about this week, so I'm not surprised about the song too. As I was writing the paragraph about GOD not giving us a spirit of fear, these lyrics started running through my mind, "This is no time for fear,.... I thought, what song is that from and the HOLY SPIRIT reminded me. If you knew how i struggle with my thinking at times...and this week has been one of those times, you would realize how very much I do have to depend on the HOLY SPIRIT to bring to my mind the thoughts HE wants me to share with you. So, "GOD is in Control" by Twila Paris is the song, and on this "journey to the Top" HE has not left us alone, but left us a HELPER, to guide us into all truth, to teach us, to strengthen us, comfort us, and encourage us along the way.

I love you, very much, and how grateful I am for the wonderful help and encouragement the HOLY SPIRIT gives me through your dear lives. Through HIS HELPER, the HOLY SPIRIT, we can make it together "to the Top." When we get there, one by one, we will be able to see our dear SAVIOR JESUS face to face, and our loved ones, who are already waiting for us up there!



With all HIS love,

mitzi



GOD is in Control by Twila Paris

This is no time for fear
This is a time for faith and determination
Don't lose the vision here
Carried away by emotion
Hold on to all that you hide in your heart
There is one thing that has always been true
It holds the world together

God is in control
We believe that His children will not be forsaken
God is in control
We will choose to remember and never be shaken
There is no power above or beside Him, we know
God is in control, oh God is in control

History marches on
There is a bottom line drawn across the ages
Culture can make its plan
Oh, but the line never changes
No matter how the deception may fly
There is one thing that has always been true
It will be true forever

He has never let you down
Why start to worry now?
He is still the Lord of all we see
And He is still the loving Father
Watching over you and me

watching over you...watching over me..
watching over every things..
watching over you..watching over me..
every little sparrow..every little things...

"When GOD Has Another Plan"

"Know ye not that...ye are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify GOD in your body." 1 Cor. 6:19,20.

Dear Friends,

Several years ago, i read a book called These Strange Ashes, by Elisabeth Elliot. This book made quiet an impression on me, as i had already had a share of my own "Strange Ashes," by the time i read it. The LORD brought it to mind again this week, as i was reflecting over the election results from Tuesday night. In this book, Elisabeth Elliot shares about different events that happened in her young life as a missionary to Ecuador that honestly didn't make sense, and even looked like failure, when looked at through our human eyes. She had gone to Ecuador as a single missionary to translate the language so the natives could read the Bible in their own language. The young man GOD raised up to help her translate the language and she had worked with for several months was suddenly shot and killed. The work that she had done so diligently for over a year to translate the language was lost in a suitcase on top of a loaded truck and never found. The airstrip that her future husband, Jim, had worked on for months so that missionaries could fly in and out with easier access in the jungle, was washed away in a flood. Eventually, her future husband Jim was killed as a young man, by the Auca Indians, while he and four other men were trying to befriend them and share the gospel of JESUS CHRIST with them. This book ponders the question of "Is GOD still in charge?"

This past Tuesday night, was a disappointment to many of us, and it is easy to ask sometimes "Is GOD still in charge?" when it seems like the good guys loose, and the not so good guys win. Our friend, Wayne Parker, is one of those good guys, who lost. I was really surprised, to be honest that he lost, and disappointed. GOD had to remind me that "Disappointments are HIS appointments." I shared in my last email about Wayne and his wife Lisa, and the trials they have endured as they followed in obedience the call to run for Congress. I have grown to love them and respect them so very much these past several months. I know that they love CHRIST with all of their hearts and are a man and woman of truth and integrity. They believe in the sanctity of life, and all those things that reflect godly CHRISTian values. GOD blessed the campaign and answered our prayers providing all our needs in CHRIST JESUS, raising up people to help and money to finance the campaign at just the right time. HE gave favor and grace in so many ways. The Parkers worked and fought hard, along with the staff, and the volunteer army the LORD raised up to help them. The whole campaign was undergirded by prayer and obedience to GOD's word. The morning of the election, several met at the Parker Headquarters' at 6:00 a.m. to begin the day with prayer and committing the election results to GOD. The prayer time was finished with the group singing, "Praise GOD from whom all blessings flow...praise HIM all creatures here below..." I believed in my heart that GOD was going to give them the victory. We had prayed, a lot, worked so hard, tried to "conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of JESUS CHRIST," and now all we had to do was believe and wait for HIM to answer our prayers to put grace and favor in the hearts of the voters all across the district. Many worked right up until the time the polls closed to get that last vote for Wayne.
That night as we gathered at the Davidson Center at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, to wait for the election returns, we were very optimistic and felt confident that this was the time for Wayne to become our next Congressman. After loosing two previous bids for Congress in the 90's and waiting on the LORD, this must be the time. There were a lot of folks there, many of them our dear friends, who had worked so very hard on the campaign, the Radcliff's, Bethany, Joe, who were the Jackson County Coordinators for the campaign, along with their sister and brothers, Tabitha, Tom, Matthew and Isaiah, worked so tirelessly on the Student Project, Marsha CHRISTian and her daughters, and son, whom we had the pleasure of going door to door with the week before and they had volunteered to cover an entire precinct going door to door. The Spearings, who have known Wayne since their college days at Auburn, and have become so dear to us through our homeschool group and working on the campaign together-they were there to support the Parkers. The Knapps were there, along with the Andersons, and so many others that GOD had drawn together to work toward this common goal. What a privilege and blessing it had been to be a part of this campaign. Many were milling around inside the humongous building that housed a huge rocket hanging overhead, waiting for the election returns to begin. If the rocket had fallen, we were all history:). There were several chairs set up in rows and up front was a very, very large screen that we watched the election returns on. It changed from the national scene watching the Presidential race, to the local news where we kept up with the local race for Congress. I was sitting with some friends while the kids were running around with their "posse." Their "posse" had worked so hard on this campaign, especially the last couple of weeks, having gone to over 25,000 houses the week before asking folks to vote for Wayne Parker. We were all in this together. The first hour or so, it was neck and neck, and then Wayne's opponent slowly began to get a lead, and it didn't flip flop anymore. I went out to the car for a while to give my body a break, it was fully overloaded by this point from all that i'd been around for days now. When i returned, one of the dear friends i've made during this campaign, Bebe Williams, Wayne's Volunteer Coordinator, said she didn't think he was going to make it because it was too many votes to make up. Her prediction, sadly, turned out to be true. Wayne ended up getting 49% of the votes to his opponent's 51%. Many of the folks left before Wayne and Lisa and their family came out for the concession speech, but there was still a crowd of their faithful supporters who wanted to love them and encourage them through this difficult time. Before they came out, i had a few minutes to speak with Wayne's Mom who had been so gracious thanking us for all we had done to support Wayne and Lisa. After she was watched John McCain's concession speech, i asked her how Lisa was doing and she said told me she what she said to her..."Lisa, you may not want to hear this right now, but the LORD is either protecting ya'll from something, or HE has something better for you." I thought, wow, that was so wise of her. This was the third time for this Mama to see her son loose and i know that her heart was broken for them. When Wayne and Lisa did come out, with their 4 children, the crowd clapped and yelled for them, and they gave hugs on their way up to the podium. It had been a tough, tough race, and though we were hoping, believing and praying for victory, the LORD said "no" to Wayne to represent our district as U.S. Representative. They were so very gracious, and thanked us all for helping them, and i honestly can't remember what was said beyond that. I do remember the wonderful hug that Wayne and Lisa gave me after they came down, and wrapped their arms around me-the three of us with our arms around each other, and them encouraging me, in their time of sorrow. What a special blessing that was to my heart. It has been my family's honor and privilege to be called into this race and serve whenever we could plug in, as so many of our friends were called too...GOD uses us to demonstrate HIS love to each other and help each other as we travel this glorious and often difficult road to heaven. The day before Lisa and i were at the Parker Headquarters out back in the parking lot and she was sharing with me something the LORD had shown her about the way HE uses us to show HIS love to each other. She recounted the story of when JESUS was on the cross HE asked John to take care of HIS mother. JESUS could have taken care of her from heaven, but HE chose to use someone in human form to show HIS love to her. What a precious insight this was to Lisa and to me, as over and over, GOD shows me how very much HE loves me through you my friends and family, and complete strangers that GOD brings into my life. Now, GOD was showing me HIS love again, through Wayne and Lisa's hugs, and their dear encouragement to me.

As i have been reflecting on all these things, and the events of the past several weeks and months, GOD has been encouraging me and reminding me the message of the CROSS, life out of death. I believe with all my heart the LORD called Wayne and Lisa to run this race, to "stand in the gap," and they were obedient to HIS call. GOD calls us to be obedient, to follow HIS call, and often that doesn't look like success as we measure success in the eyes of the world. Who understands the call of a young man and his family to go serve the LORD in a foreign country when he could make a whole lot more money here in the United States, and have an "easier" life, not putting his family in harm's way. The LORD reminded me that His followers thought that HE had come to be an earthly king, and HE had, but not the kind they were expecting... HE had come to rule and reign in their hearts and forgive them of their sins. Their hopes were crushed the day HE died on Calvary, for his death looked like such a failure to all those looking on, including HIS mother, dearest friends, and enemies. It was actually the greatest day in all of history, when the price of our REDEMPTION was paid in full. His mother and family and friends didn't understand all that...they just saw HIS beaten body, bruised and battered beyond recognition, and such a terrible injustice it seemed was being done to this SINLESS ONE. In fact, a great justice was being done, as we were being made just in the eyes of GOD, through the broken body of HIS dear SON. GOD looked down through the ages, and saw the blood of HIS SON that was being shed to cover your sins and mine, as we put our trust and belief in the LORD JESUS CHRIST. HE knew the life, everlasting life, and abundant life here on earth that would be ours because of the Cross, and the suffering and sacrifice of HIS dear SON. But that day, when JESUS hung on the cross, HE didn't look too successful in the eyes of those beholding HIM.

As a young pastor's wife, whose mysterious sickness had gotten the best of me, my husband resigned his position as pastor to move back home so i could have help with the kids... i felt like a failure. My husband had gone to seminary, and me to nursing school in preparation for the "call" that we felt GOD was leading us to the foreign mission field. Due to my sickness, we never made it to the foreign mission field, but GOD has used the circumstances of our lives to keep us here, right where HE has led and directed our every step. But i have to tell you, it sure took me a few years to get used to the idea, and not feel like a miserable failure. And it made me ask myself, was i doing this for HIM, or myself...did i want my will or HIS, and i have to confess, i wanted mine. It took GOD's gracious teaching through HIS WORD and encouraging books, revealing HIMself to me through our circumstances, and you, my dear brothers and sisters in CHRIST, to help me trust HIM with HIS perfect plan for my life instead of what I wanted to be HIS plan. The cross of sickness, and loosing my identity as a pastor's wife, and living where we didn't want to live, working where we didn't want to work, has taught us the message of the cross, life out of death to self. And that message repeats itself over and over throughout the lives of GOD's children in whatever circumstances HE chooses..."If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23

These Strange Ashes ends with a story that illustrates the message of the book, why do we do the things we do...are we doing it for JESUS or for us?
" A story is told of JESUS and HIS disciples walking one day along a stony road. JESUS asked each of them to choose a stone to carry for HIM. John, it is said, chose a large one while Peter chose the smallest. JESUS led them then to the top of a mountain and commanded that the stones be made bread. Each disciple, by the time tired and hungry, was allowed to eat the bread he held in his hand, but of course Peter's was not sufficient to satisfy his hunger. John gave him some of his.

Some time later JESUS again asked the disciples to pick up a stone to carry. This time Peter chose the largest of all. Taking them to a river, JESUS told them to cast the stones into the water. They did so, but looked at one another in bewilderment. "For whom," asked JESUS did you carry the stone?" I realized when we had to leave what we felt GOD was calling us to do...that i saw a whole lot of me carrying "the stone," for me and my glory instead of for HIM and HIS glory.

Last week, i read a devotion in My Utmost for HIS HIGHEST by Oswald Chambers, that reminded me of those early years of sickness, and how much i didn't want others to know about my weakness. In fact when my husband resigned the church, many were surprised because they had no idea how sick i was, because i did my best to hide it. I wanted to appear strong. This devotion was a comfort to me during that time, and i still remember how very painful it was to publicly have to admit weakness and suffer humiliation of not accomplishing the "call" we felt GOD had put in our heart. GOD is changing me, and i am learning as Paul did, to "boast about my weaknesses, that the power of CHRIST might rest on me" though it's still very hard for me at times. I am prideful and the suffering, the shame and humiliation of the cross in whatever form it comes in my life doesn't come natural for me...and i'm not sure it does for anyone. I was really embarrassed when i saw all the mistakes i'd make in last weeks email in the second paragraph, but i just had to say, "Oh well... LORD, you be strong in my weakness." Sure wish i had proof read that paragraph before i pressed that send button:). This week as i ponder on Wayne and Lisa's circumstances, and how public it was, this devotion seemed very appropriate for the place that GOD has called not only them to walk, but you and me in the circumstances HE places us in.



November 1st.





YE ARE NOT YOUR OWN



"Know ye not that . . ye are not your own?" 1 Corinthians 6:19

There is no such thing as a private life - "a world within the world" - for a man or woman who is brought into fellowship with Jesus Christ's sufferings. God breaks up the private life of His saints, and makes it a thoroughfare for the world on the one hand and for Himself on the other. No human being can stand that unless he is identified with Jesus Christ. We are not sanctified for ourselves, we are called into the fellowship of the Gospel, and things happen which have nothing to do with us, God is getting us into fellowship with Himself. Let Him have His way, if you do not, instead of being of the slightest use to God in His Redemptive work in the world, you will be a hindrance and a clog.

The first thing God does with us is to get us based on rugged Reality until we do not care what becomes of us individually as long as He gets His way for the purpose of His Redemption. Why shouldn't we go through heartbreaks? Through those doorways God is opening up ways of fellowship with His Son. Most of us fall and collapse at the first grip of pain; we sit down on the threshold of God's purpose and die away of self-pity, and all so called Christian sympathy will aid us to our death bed. But God will not. He comes with the grip of the pierced hand of His Son, and says - "Enter into fellowship with Me; arise and shine." If through a broken heart God can bring His purposes to pass in the world, then thank Him for breaking your heart.



Our lives are certainly not our own, and HE continues in various circumstances to teach me the lesson of the Cross: The more of CHRIST that is in me, through HIS breaking my heart, the less of me that is in me..."I have been crucified with CHRIST and it is no longer I who live, but CHRIST who lives in me; and the life which i now live in the flesh i live by faith in the Son of GOD, who loved me, and delivered HIMself up for me." Galatians 2:20. In the Nov. 6 Springs in the Valley reading, it reiterates this lesson as it shares: "The leading symbol of our CHRISTian faith is not an easy chair, or a feather-bed: it is a Cross. If we would be HIS disciples, let us be prepared to live dangerously; to take up the Cross and carry it into the teeth of opposition. GOD is at perfect liberty to waste us if HE chooses.

Wow, "GOD is at perfectly liberty to waste us if HE chooses," that doesn't sound exactly like what we want or like to hear. GOD never "wastes" anything about our lives, even though it may appear that way for a season. When i think of Jim Elliot's death at the hands of the Auca Indian's and realize that literally millions of people were inspired by his "waste," to come to know CHRIST or become missionaries, i realize nothing is a waste. When i think of my doctor in Texas, who went through tremendous suffering in his own life to learn how to help folks like me, i know that nothing is a waste. We are not our own, we have been bought with a price to glorify GOD in our bodies, in whatever form that may come...whether it's running a campaign with integrity, or being a mom and wife, or struggling with a mysterious illness, or whatever path GOD has placed us in to walk. When HE chooses to "switch our positions," that's HIS perogative to do so. HE created us, and paid for us with the blood of HIS own Son...we are not our own. HE calls us to be obedient, and promises us that HE will bring life out of death, the message of the Cross through us as we surrender our lives and sufferings to HIM. I Peter 2:21 says: "For even to this were you called-it is inseparable from your vocation. For CHRIST also suffered for you, leaving you [His personal] example, so that you should follow on in HIS footsteps..."Amplified.

I know this, for me personally, the campaign was a wonderful experience, with the pain and the joy and all that it involved. The relationships our family built with those involved in working toward a common goal was worth it all. Seeing the body of CHRIST work together and help each other and encourage one another in the midst of the war was such a blessing. There are so many things GOD is doing behind the scenes, like Wayne's campaign manager being curious about all these CHRISTians he's been around, and being drawn closer to JESUS through all this. Wayne's campaign manager from 1996 became a CHRISTian a few years after that campaign, and called Wayne and Lisa a couple of years ago and thanked them for the godly influence they had in his life when he worked for them. Who knows all the purposes and things that GOD is doing and working out through the "call" to run for Congress that HE put in Wayne and Lisa's heart a few months ago...we don't understand all the reasons but we do know "that GOD causes all things work together for good to those who love GOD and are called according to HIS purpose." Romans 8:32.



Our dear friends, the Greene's, who have known their share of "death to self," through the sufferings GOD has allowed in their lives, sing a beautiful song called, "When GOD Has Another Plan." It brings such encouragement to my heart as i ponder Tuesday night's results, seeming defeat in the eyes of the world, but gaining CHRIST in a more nearer and dearer way as we trust CHRIST and cling to the CROSS, the CROSS that gives life to us and others through our LORD JESUS CHRIST. HE did answer our prayer for victory. Not the victory we had in mind, but the ONE HE promises to all who have been called to be HIS children: "But thanks be to GOD who gives us the victory-making us conquerors- through our LORD JESUS CHRIST. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the LORD-that is, always being superior (excelling, doing more than enough) in the service of the LORD, knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the LORD is not futile-never wasted or to no purpose." I Cor. 15:57. HE has a plan, to bring life out of death, through the things that to the world look futile or wasted. We have to trust HIM, and HIS everlasting love for us and others..."we are not our own, we have been bought with a price."

With all HIS love,

mitzi



"When GOD Has Another Plan" by Amy Keffer Sheffem/Daryl Williams

"Forsaken by his brothers, didn't fit the scene,
Being made a slave, was not what Joseph dreamed
The coat of many colors was stained with blood and lies
But from this divine appointment a ruler would arise

CHORUS:
When GOD has another plan, Walk on and just
say yes,
When GOD has another plan, be assured that HE
knows best
When all your dreams are shattered, rest in HIS
sufficient grace,
We don't have to understand, When GOD has
another plan.

Alone and brokenhearted, Questions fill your mind,
Changes can be hard, That come by GOD's design,
But if you could see tomorrow, with a view from
heaven's throne, every unexpected struggle, has led
you closer home.