JESUS and Jack Daniels

"And do not be drunk with wine, in which is *dissipation, but be filled with the SPIRIT." Ephesians 5:13

"But the fruit of the SPIRIT is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Galatians 5:23

Dear Praying Friends and Family,

    Be honest, how many of you clicked on this weeks email out of curiosity because Jack Daniels was in the title?  I understand, that's why i used it in the title to get your attention:).   No i haven't been campaigning too hard, and I haven't gone off the deep end.  I have a legitimate story to tell you....about JESUS and Jack Daniels.    If you're wondering if i'm talking about Jack Daniels, as in Jack Daniels whiskey i am...and you will have to read on to get the rest of the story. 

  

     Yesterday, i went into Lowe's to buy  a pair of ear plugs to wear while i'm cutting the grass.  While i was inside, i decided to go out to the Lawn and Garden shop and look around for some large clay pots to plant my tomato plants in this year.  I saw some that would do, those large orange clay pots for roughly $30.00.  I walked on the next aisle and i saw these wooden barrels cut in two and I REALLY liked them.  It didn't take me long to see the tag on the side that said they were from Jack Daniel's Whiskey Distillery, but what really  makes them authentic is not what the tag on the side says, but it was the smell coming from them.  There was no doubt about it, those barrels were from the Jack Daniel's Distillery and they had the smell to prove it!   I debated a few minutes about whether or not i should get them and then decided to go for it.  I wasn't getting them because they were from Jack Daniels.  In fact i wondered if it would cause anyone to stumble if they knew those barrels on my back porch used to hold whiskey in them.  I wanted them because of their rustic look, and i decided the LORD didn't mind me having those barrels.  They didn't hold whiskey anymore.  The kind man at the store loaded them up for me in the back of the Yukon and i teased him and said i hope i didn't get intoxicated on the way home from the smell.

     When i got home, i got them out of the car, one at a time, and rolled them on to the back porch where they are going to "age" a little more until i can get some dirt in them and my husband  drills holes in the bottom of them  so that the water can run out.  The kind salesman  told me to do that, and he said i needed to keep moisture in them so that the boards on the barrels will expand.  Later on in the evening, i took Troy, our Maltipoo for a short walk, and when i returned,  as i was walking up the driveway, i could smell the whiskey in those barrells!  The smell permeated the air, and there was no doubt where those barrels came from and what they used to hold.  Now the barrels are empty, waiting to be filled with some good organic soil, topsoil,  natural fertilizer and tomato plants, but that whiskey smell, it's still there, because that's what those barrels  used to hold.   Until something else fills them up, they will continue to smell like what was inside it.

   When i was a little girl, my family went to the Jack Daniel's distillery which is located not too far from where we live in Lynchburg, Tenn. I am not recommending this for your family for a family outing, i'm just telling you what mine did:).  I don't remember a whole lot about the tour our family went on, along with other visitors, but i do remember the large vats that held the corn mash that went into making the whiskey.  The smell was overpowering of all that corn cooking and i can still remember the way it smelled...yukky!  In a large warehouse nearby, they kept the whiskey in the oak barrels for the whiskey to reach the proper age.  I think some of it aged for different lengths of time. In that process of the whiskey aging in the barrels,  the whiskey soaks into the oak, and the barrel becomes permeated with the whiskey, simply by the process of the whiskey spending time in the barrel. It soaks into the barrel.     Back then they gave little whiskey bottles of samples, and some little towelettes with whiskey on them to sample.  I don't remember sampling any of it, but i do remember that smell...that same smell of the barrels on my back porch.

    You may wonder where i'm going with all of this talk about whiskey and barrels.   A sermon last Sunday morning at our Renewal and Revival service by Dr. Mark Foley,the President of the University of Mobile,  got me to thinking about all this as i was thinking about what to write the Friday email about.  I know it hasn't been long since i wrote, but when the HOLY SPIRIT gives me the unction, i have to write.  Last Sunday morning, Dr. Foley spoke to us about bearing fruit for JESUS.  He said that bearing fruit was equivalent to being an influence for JESUS.  This gave even more meaning to the powerful quote i used last week from Elisabeth Elliot and the Scripture that went along with it:

     "God will see to it that we are in circumstances that are best designed by HIS sovereign love to give us opportunity to bear fruit for HIM."  Or according to Dr. Foley...to be an influence for HIM.

     "I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit (or influence) should remain." John 15:16

      The only way we can be an influence for JESUS, and bear the fruits of the SPIRIT,  is by spending time with JESUS in HIS WORD and prayer. 

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled.  And they realized that they had been with JESUS." Acts 4:13

 He gave an illustration at the end of his sermon about Fajitas...how you can hear them sizzling, you can taste them, and by the time you finish eating them, you smell like them because you had spent time with them, and they were a part of you.  He said that's the way it is when we spend time with JESUS, we become like HIM, and we smell like HIM, and act like HIM, and others can tell that we have been with JESUS.  We don't spend time with HIM for the sake that others will know we've been with JESUS, but because JESUS loves us so much, and wants to spend time with HIS bride, and because when we spend time with HIM, others are drawn to CHRIST through our witness of HIM, as "the smell of CHRIST," on us, makes others desire HIM. 
       I hope my description of the whiskey in the barrels doesn't make anyone desire whiskey...that was not the purpose of me using that illustration!  The purpose was to give you an example of the whiskey spending time in the barrel and the barrel smells like the whiskey because of the time it spent with the whiskey.

These little flowers remind me of the "grace upon graces" that are ours in CHRIST JESUS.

     Dr. Joe Savage, also on staff at the University of Mobile where our daughter is in nursing school, spoke too at our Renewal and Revival Services Sunday night and Monday night.   His messages were powerful,  as was the singing by Hannah Veazy and the Voices of Mobile.  On Monday night he gave an illustration of an empty picture of water being filled with milk, a power drink, and all kinds of things, including pure water.  He showed how murky the vessel became and you couldn't see the pure water inside which was the example of the HOLY SPIRIT in us, because of all the sin represented by other things filling the picture other than the water.  He shared when we have sin in our lives, the HOLY SPIRIT can't be as much an influence through us, as when we are a clean vessel, and not filled with the things of the world. 

       I was thinking again about the whiskey in the barrel and the whiskey represents sin... as long as that whiskey is in the barrel, the water, or HOLY SPIRIT will be diluted and others won't be able to see JESUS as powerfully in our lives.  Once the barrel is emptied out of whiskey or sin, and only CHRIST can do that for us, then the HOLY SPIRIT can come and fill us and indwell us and be a powerful witness through us as we spend time with JESUS, the LOVER of our souls.  When i fill up those barrels with good soil, and natural fertilizers and rain water, and plant my little tomato plants, they will be able to thrive in the fertile soil that the barrel contains and eventually as time goes along, the barrels will loose their smell of the whiskey and the good, fertile soil and tomato plants will permeate the oak barrels instead.  The plants inside the barrels will bear much fruit i hope!   It may take awhile for those barrels to change their smell and i may have some tomatoes tasting like Jack Daniels this summer... I sure hope not:).  But the longer those barrels spend time full of the soil and whatever i plant, they will begin to smell like the influence of the soil instead of what was formally inside.

                                    Gorgeous wildflowers along the creek

   As i was thinking about what to write this week, and if i was going to write this week, i heard a song that really spoke to my heart.  I'm not sure if i have heard it before or not, but the name of it is "How HE Loves Us," and it was sung by Kim Walker http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoC1ec-lYps .It's not a new song...but it is a powerful song and you can tell that Kim has spent time with JESUS and she is not just singing words that don't have any meaning to her....she has spent time with HIM and she knows that HE loves her and HE loves us.

"How HE Loves Us"

He is jealous for me 
Love's like a hurricane, 
I am a tree 
Bending beneath the weight of 
His wind and mercy 
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory 
and I realize just how beautiful You are and how great your affections are for me. 

Oh, how He loves us so 
Oh, how He loves us 
How He loves us so. 
(x2) 

Yeah, He loves us 
Oh, how He loves us 
Oh, how He loves us 
Oh, how He loves. 
(x2) 

We are His portion and 
He is our prize, 
Drawn to redemption 
by the grace in His eyes 
If grace is an ocean, we're all sinking 
So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss and my heart turns 
violently inside of my chest 
I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way 


He loves us, 
Oh, how He loves us 
Oh, how He loves us 
OH, how He loves 
(x2) 

Yeah, He loves us 
Oh, how He loves us 
Whoa, how He loves us 
Whoa, how He loves. 

Yeah, He loves us 
He loves us 
He loves us 
He loves. 

Yeah, He loves us 
Whoa, how He loves us 
Whoa, how He loves us 
Whoa, how He loves 

He loves us, 
Whoa, how He loves us 
Whoa, how HE loves us    

    What about you and me...can people tell that we have spent time with JESUS by the way we "smell"?  Are we so permeated and intoxicated with HIS love that others are either drawn to HIM or they are repulsed by us?  That's what the Bible says: 

     

     "Now thanks be to GOD who always leads us in triumph in CHRIST, and through us diffuses the fragrance of HIS knowledge in every place.  For we are to GOD the fragrance of CHRIST among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.  To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life." 2 Cor. 2:14-16

Wisteria fills our town with fragrance and beauty!

               

   If we are saturated with the love of our SAVIOR from spending time with HIM,  to one person we are going to be the aroma of death leading to death and to the other the aroma of life leading to life.  Those aren't my words...they are Paul's words.  The twofold effect of the gospel of JESUS CHRIST is to some the message brings eternal life and to others it is a stumbling stone of offense that brings eternal death.  So don't expect everyone to like you just because you spend time with JESUS and "smell like HIM."  That's not the point, the point is that when we our barrels have been emptied of ourselves, and sin, and the world, then as we spend time with JESUS, we will be filled and empowered by the HOLY SPIRIT, and we will be changed and the "smell of CHRIST" that permeates us, will either draw others to CHRIST through us, or repel them, depending on if they will accept CHRIST leading to eternal life or reject HIM leading to death.

    A passage that Dr. Savage used from II Timothy 3:1 reminds me of the smell of the whiskey in those barrels...it is the smell of sin, our self and the world.  

     "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:  For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of GOD, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!"

    So who do you smell like?  We can be a CHRISTian and still smell like the whiskey in the barrel.  We can have a form of godliness, come to church every Sunday and Wednesday night,  be involved in umpteen church activities, yet deny its power.  How do we receive this power...first of all by surrending our hearts to JESUS CHRIST, and turning away from our sin.  Trusting that HIS death on the Cross was the payment for every sin that you and I would ever commit in the barrel of our lives. 

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

 Then HE comes and cleanses us from all unrighteous, taking all the sin out of the barrel.  As we spend time with HIM in HIS WORD each day and prayer, HE fills our barrel with HIMself, and we become permeated with HIS fragrance and with HIS power.  We still will sin, because we are still humans struggling against our weak flesh, but CHRIST has empowered us with HIS HOLY SPIRIT to overcome that sin and HE cleanses our barrel as we come to HIM and ask HIM to forgive us.

   "If we confess our sins, HE is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:7

Dogwoods are blooming out all over with the fragrance of  the resurrection life that is ours in CHRIST JESUS!

     I truly hope and pray that i have not offended anyone by using the illustration of Jack Daniels in my Friday email.  I certainly thought about that...but i felt like maybe this would help some folks understand more how spending time with the LORD will rub off HIS smell on us, and empower us with HIS HOLY SPIRIT to fulfill HIS will through us and be HIS witnesses wherever HE sends us.  It's more than that though, it's a love relationship with the ONE WHO loves us so much, HE laid down HIS life for us on the CROSS, and HE rose from the dead three days later, victorious over sin anddeath, so that we too might be victorious oversin and death and have a personal and intimate relationship with HIM.  Our CREATOR yearns for us, He desires us, HE seeks us with HIS pursuing love, just as we are, whether filled with "whiskey" or whatever sin in our barrels.  HE wants us to come to HIM, "Just as I am".    HE cleans out our barrels and makes us holy... "Oh, How HE Loves Us."

"For you are a holy people, to the LORD our GOD; the LORD your GOD has chosen you to be a people for HIMself, a special treasure above all the people's on the face of the earth.  The LORD did not set HIS love on you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the LORD loves you...the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharoah, King of Egypt." Deut. 7:6-8

    These were words written to the Israelites, but they are written to us too...the LORD loves you, the LORD loves you, the LORD loves you ..."Oh How HE Love Us So" and HE tells us in Jer. 29:13, "and you will seek ME and find ME when you search for ME with all your heart." He loves us, HE seeks us out and pursues us, but HE also tells us to seek HIM...in a personal relationship, seek HIM setting aside time each day, in the morning, at noon, and the evening, to spend time with JESUS, and HE will be found by us, and as we spend time with HIM, we will become permeated and saturated with HIS love that brings joy to HIM and us, and  flows out and influences all that we meet. 

                                Star of Bethlehem blooming along the creek

    I thought i was going to tell you about the book, Redeeming Love,  by Francine Rivers, this week, as it is such a beautiful picture of CHRIST's unconditional pursuing love for us based on the book of Hosea in the Bible.  I guess that will wait until another time.  I have told you about HIS Redeeming Love, just not the way i had planned to...maybe there is someone who needs to hear about JESUS and Jack Daniel and how HE loves us so. I didn't realize til just now there is a song by that name about CHRISTIANs struggling with drinking and another song with a similar name.   I have not meant to treat this subject lightly as i know that drinking has destroyed so many lives, families, and influence for JESUS. I am so thankful for the power that is in CHRIST JESUS to overcome addictions when nothing else will work. I am so thankful for the pursuing love, for the REDEEMING love of JESUS, who died on the CROSS, so that we could overcome these addictions in HIS power and HE can turn our once "whiskey filled barrels" into a godly influence to be used by HIM to bear much fruit...."Oh, How HE Loves us SO!" 
      My stepgranddaddy who was addicted to drinking for many many years, was saved by JESUS, and GOD gave him victory over the bottle  the final seven years of his life. When "Poppy Jack," was saturated with whiskey in his barrel, he went from being a  kind man, to being very mean.  The "smell" and influence of whiskey in his life was very ugly.    When CHRIST saved him, he went from being a barrel addicted to "Jack Daniels," to  a barrel being saturated with the fragrance  of JESUS.  Every time we visited them,  the Bible was up on his coffee table and he read it daily.   I have seen GOD's power over "Jack Daniels," in my own family and i praise GOD for HIS overcoming power in our lives whatever our addictions or sins 

 may be. 

 "Therefore if any one is in CHRIST, he is a new creature, the old things have passed away; behold new things have come!" 2 Cor. 5:17.

The Redbud trees have come back to life!

    
     By the way, that "kind," salesman, i mentioned who helped me at Lowe's with the barrels and told me how to drill holes in the bottom to drain the water, and told me how to mix the soil, and went to the soil department with me to help me pick out the right soul...turns out he is a United Methodist Minister also. When he started to go back inside the store, he said, "You have a blessed day,"  and i ask him if he was a CHRISTian.   He told me yes, and that he is a minister also.  I told him i should have known he was a CHRISTian by his kindness and help to me.  He went above and beyond in his job, and though he didn't have a "sign" on like a cross around his neck, he "smelled," like a CHRISTian by his influence and fruit that he bore through his job.  

   Thank you for taking time to read any or all of this email and may the LORD richly use it to draw you to HIM, and let HIM lavish HIS love upon you, filling your barrel and mine, with the HOLY SPIRIT as we spend time with HIM.  ..."O, How HE Loves Us!"

                                                                  With all HIS love,

                                                                            mitzi

 

**Dissipation-Loose, irregular, given to extravagance in the expenditure of property; devoted to pleasure and vice.  Scattering; dispersing, wasting, consuming ; squandering; vanishing, a dissolute, irregular course of life; a wandering from object to object in pursuit of pleasure; a course of life usually attended with careless and exorbitant expenditures of money, and indulgence in vices, which impair or ruin both health and fortune. 

                                          -from Noah Webster's 1848 Dictionary

  

 

--

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

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

 "Just As I Am" Brian Doerkson

Victorious in Defeat

Our daughter with young friend,Chris Radcliffe at the Pep Rally.  His family worked so hard to help us and we are so grateful to the Radcliffes and all of our friends and family who came alongside us to help us in this race the LORD called us to run.

"I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain."  John 15:16

"In all these things we are more than conquerors through HIM that loved us." Romans 8:37

Dear Praying Friends and Family,

      "GOD will see to it that we are in circumstances that are best designed by HIS sovereign love to give us opportunity to bear fruit for HIM."  Elisabeth Elliot, www.elisabethelliot.org

      It seems like it has been a lifetime ago since i last wrote, but i guess it's only been two weeks ago.  It seems that long cause we've packed in a lifetime since the last time i wrote.  For those of you who haven't been reading these emails, my husband was running for Circuit Court Clerk in our County and boy, do i know the meaning of running and race and campaign now.  I have been involved in several other campaigns for friends before, but never our own, and i can tell you it is a race!  The election was this past Tuesday, and we lost by 2500 votes.  We sure were hoping it would be closer, but we lost to a a very honorable man who the LORD raised up to win this election.  Our local paper didn't have to use quite the painful headlines they did, http://enewscourier.com/local/x2029125891/Curnutt-cruises-to-victory-over-Evans-in-circuit-court-clerk-race but they did, and they were pretty truthful.   It was never was that close all night nor in the race.   From the time we heard the absentee ballots we knew we were in trouble...cause we had been told by the present Circuit Court Clerk, the election usually goes the way the absentee ballots are....and we were behind by 67 votes or so from the get go.   As i stood behind my husband and my brother in law as we watched the campaign results at the courthouse, with our son  beside us, i was at peace. Though I  was disappointed for my husband and brother in law who had worked so hard and invested so much in this campaign, GOD's peace permeated my soul, this was HIS will for our opponent and for us.  My brother in law and his wife, and my mother in law all worked extra at the restaurant so my husband could be off and campaign, and my brother in law backed his brother financially to pay the bulk of the campaign. After the results were mostly in, i walked over to our opponent...thankfully no longer our opponent, and congratulated he and his wife, who is the nurse supervisor for the Home Health Care agency i get IV's from every two weeks.  I told her I was glad the race was over, i was ready for her to go back to being my nursing supervisor instead of our opponent and i meant it.  I hate that aspect of a political race, how it seems to naturally put one group of people against another. Thankfully, since the race was over, Paula, the winner's wife, and I are now friends on FB, as well as real life:) and we have sent emails and messages back and forth to each other.  It's amazing how different things look when your husband's are not racing against each other.  I'm so thankful for the sweet message and emails i received from her...what a special blessing from the LORD!

     Since the campaign for us is over, we have been trying to get some rest between "dismantling" a campaign, Johnny has been busy taking signs down, along with several of our friends, and getting them taken care of, while returning to work full time back at the restaurant and other businesses he has and i've been writing thank you notes and trying to catch up on the yard work around here.  All in all, we've been "whupped," and trying to get our strength back.  So glad the election ended when it did...the LORD knew we were tired and worn out. He gave us supernatural strength each day to do what neither of us could, and HE provided all our needs in CHRIST JESUS for the campaign.

    I have thought about so many things to write you about that GOD did to show HIS lovingkindness and provision for us in this place HE called us to bear fruit and be an influence for HIM the past eight weeks.  This morning,( (i wrote this part Sunday afternoon) Dr. Mark Foley, the President of the University of Mobile where our daughter is in nursing school, spoke at our church about bearing fruit for CHRIST.  He said that bearing fruit can be thought of as our influence for CHRIST.  A couple of weeks ago, i read the quote i listed above by Elisabeth Elliot, and GOD used it to really minister to me, as i wrestled with the whole idea of my husband running for Circuit Court Clerk., and i did that time and time again throughout the campaign.  With Dr. Foley's words this morning, i was again reassured that running for Circuit Court Clerk for the past 8 weeks was the best place GOD had for us to be an influence for HIM, and winning the election was not.  Evidently, loosing the election is the best place that we can be an influence for HIM and we are trying to do that in HIS strength and power. 

      When my husband would come in most days after going door to door with painful hurting knees , i thought about JESUS on the cross, and what HE endured so that we could be forgiven for our sins.  JESUS calls us to join HIM in the sufferings of CHRIST in order that we can minister to others...and CHRIST brings life to others out of our deaths, and out of our sufferings for HIM.

     "We want to avoid suffering, death, sin, ashes.  But we live in a world crushed and broken and torn, a world GOD HIMself visited to redeem.  We receive HIS poured-out life, and being allowed the high privilege of suffering with HIM, we may then pour ourselves out for others." Elisabeth Elliot

     "For to you it has been granted on behalf of CHRIST, not only to believe in HIM, but also to suffer for HIS sake."  Philippians 1:29.

    I am not sure all the reasons GOD called Johnny to run for Circuit Court Clerk or why he had to hurt so much while doing it.  But I am sure of this, that GOD will use all those experiences, the blessings and the sufferings to work for our good and the good of those whose lives CHRIST influenced through ours for  HIS glory to bear lasting fruit for HIM in some way.

    A couple of huge, huge, huge, blessings that came since i was able to write is the Pep Rally we had for Johnny a couple of weeks ago.  My friend Wanda, told me it was more like a "Love Feast," than a Pep Rally, and she was right.   There was such an outpouring of our friends and family, from all walks of life, and different seasons of our lives, along with new friends that we have made along the campaign trail.  It was like having a wedding or your own funeral and all your friends come and you get to see them and be encouraged and encourage them.  Our friends from the Athens Dulcimer group provided music for the large gathering the first hour, while Freddie Craig and the Madison Co. Ramblers sang gospel music and played bluegrass the second hour.  After that the groups combined for a "jam" session, and some folks got up and buck danced or clogged and some man played the spoons and it was like we had a mini "Fiddler's Convention," right there at the Pep Rally.  

The Athens Dulcimer group playing at the Pep Rally

The food was delicious my brother in law and sis in law served buffet style from our restaurant...Bar B Que, potato salad, baked beans, and some cookies, and buns.  

 I stayed outside greeting folks most of the night, partly cause i wanted to, and partly cause i was overloaded from being inside all day helping Hannah Beth, my husband, and friend Wanda decorate for the Pep Rally that evening.  It worked out all good.  The kids had a great time, jumping in the elephant moonwalk set up in the end of the building, and getting their faces painted.  

"Cammy", one of our youngest campaigners, was a trooper while her Mom greeted  folks at the door

Cammie's Mom and friend, helped greet and pass out pens, signs,  and made folks feel loved and special.

                                      

Everyone who came, seemed to have a great time visiting and talking with each other, and seeing friends and family there. It truly was a great and wonderful night and i praise GOD for the blessing of getting loved on by so many people in one night!  Wow!

Friends and family enjoying themselves at the Pep Rally!

    The other huge, huge, huge, blessing came last weekend when 20 or so young folks including our own kids and their friends and some of their parents helped us go door to door to literally thousands of homes on Friday and Saturday.  We called it "Student Project," and those kids worked like trojans from early in the morning to late in the afternoon running up to doors putting fliers in the doors, and covering neighborhood after neighborhood, that we wouldn't have begun to be able to cover.  

Taking a break during "Student Project" after going door to door all morning and afternoon. 

Young friends enjoying waving signs

After a long day of going door to door, they enjoyed making signs and waving them at intersections in the evening, and then we all went and ate at our restaurant.  At the close of Saturday, Johnny treated them to bowling as a reward for their hard work.  What a tremendous blessing all those young people and their parents were to us...THANK YA'LL So VERY MUCH for sacrificing your time to help us in our time of need!  "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

    Truly, these young people and their parents, and our families and friends, laid down their lives in so many ways to make this campaign what it was...an offering and sacrifice to GOD that HE might be glorified in the midst of it...we are so blessed.

   ‎"Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the ONE WHO is leading. It is a life of faith, not of intellect and reason, but a life of knowing WHO makes us "go." The root of faith is the knowledge of a Person,and one of the biggest snares is the idea that God is sure to lead us to success." 

- Oswald Chambers 

     
     GOD reminded me of the quote above, a few days or so before the election, and i came across it today as i was reading my devotion in "My Utmost for His Highest."  GOD reminded me that HE doesn't necessarily lead us to "success" in the eyes of the world, when HE calls us and leads us down a path.  Looking back over the years to when we felt led to be foreign missionaries and prepared for that by my husband going to seminary and me to nursing school and then i got sick, reminded me of that painful lesson.  Just this past year, when i felt the LORD leading me to go back to nursing school, and He enabled me to do everything to do that including going back to take a PreCalculus Class, He put the brakes on when it actually came time to start the classes for the nursing school itself.  I don't know why i went through all that last spring and summer, but i sure felt i was obedient to the way HE was leading me at the time...and i have to trust that is where I bore fruit, or had the most influence for HIM at the time.

   I read a great devotion just a while ago, before the LORD blessed me with an hour and a half Sunday afternoon nap from JESUS Calling by Sarah Young, that helps me to trust the LORD in all the paths HE leads me down each day:

    

Trust Me one day at a time. This keeps you close to Me, responsive to My will. Trust is not a natural response, especially for those who have been deeply wounded. My Spirit within you is your resident Tutor, helping you in thissupernatural endeavor. Yield to His gentle touch; be sensitive to His prompting.

Exert your will to trust Me in all circumstances. Don’t let your need to understand distract you from My Presence. I will equip you to get through this day victoriously, as you live in deep dependence on Me. Tomorrow is busy worrying about itself; don’t get tangled up in its worry-webs. Trust Me one day at a time.

O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.
—Psalm 84:12

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” - http://bit.ly/eF5kSq 

    Equipping us to live victoriously as we abide in HIM...that is the promise we have in CHRIST JESUS.  I watched the following video last night on my friend Rhonda Irby's website. http://www.godvine.com/Christian-Athlete-Takes-a-Fall-But-Still-Wins-the-Race-378.html  My husband who almost never posts anything on FB had written a few weeks ago under it:

     Thanks Rhonda. I hope I run this race with a heart like Heather did, never never giving up.

     I saw my husband run that kind of race for the last 8 weeks, and it's a picture of his life.  Though he lives in pain, he doesn't give up, and keeps running the more important race for JESUS, that GOD has called each one of us to run.  GOD doesn't call us to run without providing the HOLY SPIRIT to come and live inside us and strengthen us and empower us to do HIS will for that which HE created us to bring HIM joy and glory.

    If you haven't entered that race to run for JESUS, I invite you to do that right now as you read this email, confess to HIM that you have sinned against HIM, and ask HIM forgive you and be the BOSS of your life. CHRIST died for your sins and mine, because HE loves us so much and wants us to have a personal and intimate relationship with HIM, and bear much fruit through us for all eternity.

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

     Victory over defeat, that's what JESUS did when HE died, was buried and then rose from the grave three days later to defeat death for us!   Praise GOD, Praise GOD, Praise GOD!!!  HE wants to give you and i the victory over the defeats in our lives, and trust HIM to "work all things together for good to those WHO love GOD and are called according to HIS purposes." Romans 8:28, including a run for Circuit Court Clerk that to the world looks like defeat. 

To Johnny and me who knows it was nothing short of GOD's SUPERNATURAL GRACE that enabled us to run, we also know this "peace that passes all understanding" that HE has given us is supernatural too, to trust HIM for HIS plans and purposes.  

     We are so blessed to have been able to be loved on by so many people, and I was reminded of the quote from the movie "It's a Wonderful Life."  

     "No man is a failure who has friends."

Me, with a special friend i haven't seen in years, who came to support us at the Pep Rally.

    

     I couldn't decide which songs to use this week, so i am going to close with two songs:

    The first one is called "Who Can Satisfy My Soul, Like You," sung by Jean Brinkley and the Choir at Lindsay Lane Baptist Church.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BQcX7d8-hI Jean went to be with JESUS just a few short months after this video was recorded last year and this video is a treasure.  My daughter taught Jean's daughter guitar lessons, and she was always such a joy when she brought her to our house.  Jean had a short battle with cancer, before the LORD took her home to satsify her soul as only HE can...another example of victory out of defeat.  Please continue to remember Jean's two teenage daughter's, her husband, Bill, and extended family in your prayers.

    The other song is "Friend of a Wounded Heart," sung by the Brooklyn Tabernacle choir http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPNCRF8r4Lg Our choir sang both of these this week, and GOD used both of them to minister to my heart and  i pray the LORD will use them to minister to yours.

   

   JESUS CHRIST can "Satisfy Our Soul" no matter what we're going through and HE is indeed the "FRIEND of a WOUNDED HEART."  I can testify that HE can give incredible peace in the midst of a loss in a campaign race and i praise HIM for HIS plans and purposes which are incredible for each of us.

‎"We tend to think that what is really good is the fulfillment of our desires. But, in reality, the highest good in the universe is whatever GOD chooses for our lives." Nancy Leigh DeMoss

"May the GOD of peace...equip you with everything good that you may do HIS will, working in us that which is pleasing in HIS sight." Hebrews 13:20a, 21a 

   I love you all, thank you so much for all your love, your prayers for us, your support of us during this amazing time...everyone should run for office at least once:).  It was an incredible journey and I am so thankful the LORD chose us to be HIS ambassadors as HE strengthened us and empowered us by HIS HOLY SPIRIT.

     "Now, then, we are ambassadors for CHRIST, as though GOD were pleading through us: we implore you on CHRIST's behalf, be reconciled to GOD.  For HE made HIM who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of GOD in HIM." 2 Cor. 5:20

   "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of HIM who called you out of darkness into HIS marvelous light." I Peter. 2:9

     We are all CHRIST's ambassador's WHO have been chosen in HIM to proclaim the excellencies of HIM, and implore those who don't know CHRIST to be reconciled to GOD.  You don't have to be in a political race, GOD wants each of us, in the best circumstances HE has chosen for us, to be an influence for HIM to bear fruit, and bring others to HIM.  This is my prayer for you and for us today...that we would be filled with HIS SPIRIT and used by HIM to "proclaim HIS excellencies," and bring others to HIM.  There is truly victory and peace in JESUS, in all our circumstances, when we live and breathe and abide in HIM to fulfill HIS plans and purposes through our lives.

   

    I want to close by inviting you to our Women's Conference on April 21st.  I sure would love for you to come and be a part of this special time in the LORD to be encouraged and refreshed and let us love on you.  The men will be serving the catered meal this year on the beautiful tablescapes the ladies decorate, and i've heard awesome things about the guest speaker.  Our very own "Cornerstone" from FBC will be helping to lead the music along with Kathleen Phraner who lead it last year and did a great job.  Please contact me if you would like a ticket. I would be so honored for you to come and join us!

First Baptist Church Athens

Women’s Conference 2012

featuring

Karen Alexander Doyel

9:00-2:30 (doors open 8:30)

$25 (lunch included)

Advance tickets only

Child care not available

256-232-7829

jackiejackson12@gmail.com

April 21, 2012

201 East Hobbs Street, Athens, AL 35611

 

                                                                          With all HIS love,

                                                                                      mitzi

      

-- 

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

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

 "Just As I Am" Brian Doerkson

Tornadoes, Political Campaigns and "The Battle Belongs to the LORD"

 ‎"With us is the LORD our GOD, to help us and to fight our battles." 2 Chronicles 32:8


"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21

First Tornado that went through while i was writing this email...
appeared from nowhere!

Dear Praying Friends and Family,

    As i write this morning, there is a storm approaching from the west.  It's unseasonably warm today, and the clouds are dark and ominous looking this morning.  With the scars of last year's tornadoes outbreak still fresh in the minds of those of us who live here in Alabama...i know there are alot of anxious hearts around here and throughout the southeast. Pray with me the LORD will be merciful to all of us, and pray for those who have already lost loved ones and homes and business's in storms this week.  The tornado that struck Branson, Missouri, was very close to one of my close friend's son, Samuel Clanton, and so thankful  the LORD spared Samuel from the tornado.  Lightening just flashed in the  window i'm sitting by as i write, so i think me and Troy, our Maltipoo, are going to relocate to somewhere not so close to the window.  I've moved and he's just staring at me across the room on the back of the couch like he's wondering if i'm coming back.  Back to the weather, my dear friend Wanda and her husband were heading down to B'ham Weds evening, and she said the rain and wind were terrible as they drove through Cullman and she wanted to pull over even though it would have been dangerous to do that.  Thankfully they arrived safely to their destination, but she said it was very difficult driving.  When i awoke yesterday morning, i learned that my friend Tim Greene, who many of you have prayed for through the years through my Friday emails, had been involved in a severe bus accident.  For you new folks reading, Tim is a gospel music singer, http://www.thegreenesmusic.com/, whom GOD delivered from severe mold poisoning that debilitated him for 10 years or so.  Tim has been back out on the road, going all over sharing his testimony, preaching the salvation that is ours in JESUS CHRIST, and singing with his trio.  Yesterday morning, Tim and another member of his group were traveling in Georgia to pick up the third member of their trio, when strong winds forced the bus off the road, and the bus flipped. Tim went through the windshield and miraculously, he lived to tell about it.   The state trooper said Tim was "a blessed man."  Please pray for Tim as he recovers from surgery to repair muscles and tendons in both arms, broken ribs and other parts that are sore from the wreck.  Also, pray for his partner Stacy who fractured a hip and broke a toe.  Tim and his group have only been traveling by bus just a few weeks...

Tim's bus

A miracle GOD spared them...

       As i write, the clouds continue to get darker, and the lightening is  striking close by at times, with the thunder booming behind it.  I'm surprised, Troy is still sitting across the room on the couch from me.  I'm glad he doesn't get nervous in storms like a lot of dogs i hear do.  The rain is blowing and falling on the deck outside, and apart from the threat of severe weather, it's really quiet cozy and i'm thankful for a day to be indoors.  If there is a break in the weather...i'm hitting the trail to go door to door in the campaign battle, where my husband is running for Circuit Court Clerk.

    It's been another busy week with the campaign, and wow, the rain is coming down heavy now...Troy must be getting some blown in on him through the screen window cause he's looking around puzzled like what's happening.This week Johnny was in a political forum on Tuesday night with the other candidates and our opponent was there with their supporters and their T shirts.  For some unknown reason, my son and i, along with our friends, Wanda and Greg, sat right behind them.  Our opponents filled up two whole rows and it was rather intimidating.  There go the sirens for the weather....tornado warning!  I'm back, after scurrying around with Johnny, the electricity went off for a minute and we couldn't find out any info, but it's on now, and things seems to have passed us for now.  I'm sitting on the couch typing with my motorcycle helmet on now...someone told me after the last tornadoes that head injuries were the way most folks were killed from the tornadoes and it's wise to wear a helmet, so i went to the garage and got our helmets from our old Harley Motorcycle riding days. 

A new look typing my email...Tornado look!

     Looks like we've had two tornadoes hit nearby since i last wrote a few minutes ago...one in the Indian Trace, Canebrake area where many of our friends live, and the other in the Mooresville Pepper Road area.  Both are very close by...it's kind of calm now...and hopefully the storms are passing for now.  It's supposed to be even worse tonight.  Dear Lord, please help our friends who have been affected by these storms.  I pray the damage has not been great, but if so, pour out your mercies and help upon them. Please protect us and keep us from harm and show us how to minister to those who have been  in the paths of the tornadoes this morning.  I have been calling some of our friends to make sure they're okay...can't get most of them. The sun is shining right this minute, but more tornadoes are being predicted...it's a weather pattern like last April 27...so ya'll please remember us in your prayers.

Tornado damage at Canebreak about a mile from us...many of our dear  church family live here.

                                       

Tornado Damage on Moorseville Rd. not far from our house... the same path as the tornadoes last year.

    I'm going to try and quickly write about this week...it's had it's ups and downs as all of life does and all of "battles," do.  On the campaign trail Monday, though i didn't feel well, i had a most encouraging day campaign wise, and the blessing of meeting two homeschool families.  One family had moved in the house with her Mother in law to take care of her while she is battling  cancer.  The mom has 5 kids, her husband is in seminary in North Carolina and he comes home on the weekends.  She is taking care of her sick mother in law, and homeschooling 5 kids, and trying to learn more about nutrition and health to help her Mom and family.  They were a precious family, and the kids were such a blessing.  The oldest boy, 14, helped me do a little campaigning, going door to door for me in his neighborhood in the yards that had been sprayed.  I ended up staying there quiet awhile, as the young wife encouraged me in the place GOD has us walking, and hopefully, somehow, i was able to encourage her and her family.  Once again, i was reminded there is a lot more to this campaign than trying to win an election as the LORD guides our footsteps to folks who are hurting and need an encouraging word, or maybe it's us needing the encouragement.  At any rate, Monday was an awesome afternoon, as i met several i was able to minister and be ministered to...we're all in a battle, whether it's a political campaign, spiritual warfare, health, loss of job...and now tornadoes, we are all in a battle and that has come home to me again on this campaign.  My last stop, was at the house of a cousin of mine, and he told me he had been out of work for a year...and i could tell, this was probably the most difficult trial he had ever been through.  I tried to encourage him, and he let me put up a yard sign in his yard, and i was really happy.

    As i went home, i notice one of our opponent's larger signs up in a place where it hadn't been when i came up the road earlier that day in a yard that i had asked to put one up close by.  I  was kind of discouraged about that...but not nearly as discouraged as i was yesterday when my Dad and i went back up the same road to go door to door together. There in a field beside where my cousin had let me put a sign in his yard, which wasn't there anymore, was a large sign for our opponent.  I still haven't found out the story behind what happened, but it doesn't really matter...the LORD knows the outcome of this election no matter how hard we work, how many signs we get up, how much money is spent, etc...the battle and the outcome belongs to our LORD JESUS CHRIST. I thank HIM for that peace, though on days like yesterday, i don't always feel it.  Yesterday, i felt rather irritable, and put out at our opponent's strategy to put up signs everywhere ours are it seems. 
      It was an experience campaigning with my 85 year old Daddy who is more aggressive than Johnny and me when it comes to putting up signs and asking folks to put up signs.  At one stop, Daddy parked on the side of a two lane road facing oncoming traffic, and here i sit in the passenger side , while my Daddy jumped out to go talk to someone at the door.  I told Daddy NOT to do that anymore, it was dangerous.  I later apologized to him for talking to him that way...it scared me, but i was wrong for being disrespectful in my tone with my Daddy.  Daddy went door to door to many homes, while i rode my bicycle going door to door...and we covered quite a bit of ground. Daddy and I loaded and unloaded my bicycle several times after we would finish a neighborhood.  At the last house almost that i went to, a young man and lady were sitting out in the garage...him in a recliner (yes this is Alabama:), and her on a stool, and they were just talking.  I made a little joke about it, and they didn't seem to think it was too funny cause they didn't laugh.  When i introduced myself, the young man told me to look in the back of the red truck behind me, and there were several of our yard signs.  They had been working for us and passing out fliers! Wow, what an encouragement, after a discouraging and scary morning for me:)!  
     It was a great blessing to campaign with my Daddy, but a little nerve wracking riding in his El Camino with the Evans signs draped over the sides of it, and taped to the back.  I told Daddy his driving was reminding me of his Daddy, Everett, who my Mom hated us grandkids to ride with...Daddy is not that bad, but he sure did scare me parking on the side of the road with me facing oncoming traffic!  My Daddy, at 85, has worked and worked for us on this campaign, putting out signs, going door to door, and talking to folks...thank you, LORD, for giving him the love and strength to do this, along with taking care of my Mom.  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to campaign with my Daddy, and helping me to live through it...so far!

     Daddy dropped me off at home and he went home to rest and take care of my Mom. The afternoon was early and i felt compelled to do a little more campaigning after i rested a few minutes.   The LORD led me to go down a road not too far from where we live, and i had several encouraging visits on that road of supporters and beautiful homes on big lots out in the country and it just felt good to be there and visit with those people.  I was blessed by a Grandmother not much older than me, taking care of her three grandchildren, and we talked like we had known one another all our lives...that's the way it is when you are in CHRIST...you're family and you share the same family likeness...LOVE.  They put a yard sign in their yard and we sure appreciated their help.  On down the road, was the neatest log cabin, with a pond and a waterfall, in some shaded woods.  Down from there, a lady invited me to come in that was friend's of the family and i took her up on the offer to use her bathroom and showed me around her house.  She had recently broken her back, and was still recovering from her injury.  She and her husband were so kind to me and i felt very comfortable in their presence and home.  I pulled down the long driveway of another home to find the sweetest little boy who took me by the hand and led me meet his mother.  He opened the door for me and went to get his mother who was very friendly when she came to the door.  I commented on his good manners and he said, "Mama, i opened the door for her."  He was precious!  His Mama and Daddy are doing a great job training their children and i have met so many well mannered children along this campaign trail.  My last visit was with a long time friend of the family and minister in our county.  He told me about his daughter who has some similar health issues to mine, and i hope i will be able to help her.  She has been suffering for many years, and is close to my age.  They have gone everywhere trying to find help for her. I sure hope the LORD will use me to help them find some help for her. 

        

    So, the campaign is a microcosm of life...there are up's and down's all in the same day...the same hour.  Just like the tornado that came up this morning out of nowhere, suddenly, and left so much damage. 

Tornado while i was writing earlier...

 One minute you're encouraged, then discouraged when i take my eyes off of the LORD and HIS plans and purposes and get them on my circumstances.  It's silly to get discouraged about a political campaign, when folks are struggling all around us, with lot's "bigger fish to fry." But GOD love's us, and HE wants us to trust HIM, whether it's a political campaign, or tornadoes that are developing around us today...big or little, HE is ever teaching us to trust HIM, and learn to fight the enemy with HIS weapons.  

    I read this devo from Charles Spurgeon this morning, just before the tornado hit nearby... about fighting the battle against our ENEMY:     

Author: Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Morning: Weapons of War

"But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his ax, and his mattock."

--1 Samuel 13:20

We are engaged in a great war with the Philistines of evil. Every weapon within our reach must be used. Preaching, teaching, praying, giving, all must be brought into action, and talents which have been thought too mean for service, must now be employed. Coulter, and axe, and mattock, may all be useful in slaying Philistines; rough tools may deal hard blows, and killing need not be elegantly done, so long as it is done effectually. Each moment of time, in season or out of season; each fragment of ability, educated or untutored; each opportunity, favourable or unfavourable, must be used, for our foes are many and our force but slender.

Most of our tools want sharpening; we need quickness of perception, tact, energy, promptness, in a word, complete adaptation for the Lord's work. Practical common sense is a very scarce thing among the conductors of Christian enterprises. We might learn from our enemies if we would, and so make the Philistines sharpen our weapons. This morning let us note enough to sharpen our zeal during this day by the aid of the Holy Spirit. See the energy of the Papists, how they compass sea and land to make one proselyte, are they to monopolize all the earnestness? Mark the heathen devotees, what tortures they endure in the service of their idols! are they alone to exhibit patience and self-sacrifice? Observe the prince of darkness, how persevering in his endeavours, how unabashed in his attempts, how daring in his plans, how thoughtful in his plots, how energetic in all! The devils are united as one man in their infamous rebellion, while we believers in Jesus are divided in our service of God, and scarcely ever work with unanimity. O that from Satan's infernal industry we may learn to go about like good Samaritans, seeking whom we may bless!

     Our enemy, the devil is relentless...if you don't think so...walk with me and go door to door one afternoon and hear what all folks are going through.  After i read this devotion, i read the one below in Streams in the Desert, and it reminded me that spending time with the LORD, first thing in the morning is the key to being victorious through the battle's we will fight for JESUS until HE takes us home...and then we will rest from our battles. 

Author: Mrs. Charles E. Cowman

Source: Streams in the Desert
Scripture Reference: Exodus 34:2-3

Meet Him in the Morning

"Be ready in the morning, and come up...present thyself there to me in the top of the mount. And no man shall come up with thee"

(Exod. 34:2-3).

The morning watch is essential. You must not face the day until you have faced God, nor look into the face of others until you have looked into His.

You cannot expect to be victorious, if the day begins only in your own strength. Face the work of every day with the influence of a few thoughtful, quiet moments with your heart and God. Do not meet other people, even those of your own home, until you have first met the great Guest and honored Companion of your life--Jesus Christ.

Meet Him alone. Meet Him regularly. Meet Him with His open Book of counsel before you; and face the regular and the irregular duties of each day with the influence of His personality definitely controlling your every act.

Begin the day with God!
He is thy Sun and Day!
His is the radiance of thy dawn;
To Him address thy lay.Sing a new song at morn!
Join the glad woods and hills;
Join the fresh winds and seas and plains,
Join the bright flowers and rills.Sing thy first song to God!
Not to thy fellow men;
Not to the creatures of His hand,
But to the glorious One.Take thy first walk with God!
Let Him go forth with thee;
By stream, or sea, or mountain path,
Seek still His company.Thy first transaction be
With God Himself above;
So shall thy business prosper well,
And all the day be love.--Horatius Bonar

The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early upon their knees.

Matthew Henry used to be in his study at four, and remain there till eight; then, after breakfast and family prayer, he used to be there again till noon; after dinner, he resumed his book or pen till four, and spent the rest of the day in visiting his friends.

Doddridge himself alludes to his "Family Expositor" as an example of the difference of rising between five and seven, which, in forty years, is nearly equivalent to ten years more of life.

Dr. Adam Clark's "Commentary" was chiefly prepared very early in the morning.

Barnes' popular and useful "Commentary" has been also the fruit of "early morning hours."

Simeon's "Sketches" were chiefly worked out between four and eight.

    Our enemy is relentless...that's what came to my mind this morning after i read that devotion from Charles Spurgeon...kind of like our opponent, getting those yard signs out wherever ours are placed. But GOD is ALMIGHTY and "GREATER is HE that is in us, than he that is in the world." The more we spend time with JESUS in our prayer closet, the more GOD unleashes HIS power through us, and we are able to get the victory over discouragement and whatever we are battling against.

    If you don't know JESUS as your LORD and SAVIOR and you want to be victorious over your battles, you can surrender your life to HIM right now.  Call upon HIS name whever your are, and humble yourself, and pray, "JESUS take the wheel," of my life and ask HIM to forgive you for your sins.  HE loves you so much, HE died for you and for me, that we might be REDEEMED, purchased with the price of HIS blood, that we might know HIM intimately and personally for all eternity and be saved from a burning hell where we deserve to be for all eternity.  He wants to lavish HIS riches upon us for all eternity...won't you come to HIM today?

    The LORD brought this older praise song..."The Battle Belongs to the LORD," http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp_PolBwjEwto my mind as i thought about the title for this email.  I was going to call it "Relentless," but HE changed my direction with the tornadoes hitting this morning and as HE led me in this email.  Satan is relentless, but GOD is even more relentless in HIS love and pursuit for us and HE won the victory for us on the Cross of Calvary.   This is a great video...i hope you will take time to watch it and be encouraged in the LORD.  I can't fight the battle in my own strength...whatever kind it is...over and over i find myself running to the LORD, and asking HIM to fight for me..."Some trust in horses, some trust in chariots, but we trust in the name of the LORD our GOD."

    They have cancelled schools and are expecting another round of severe weather this afternoon and probably tonight...ya'll please keep us all in our area in your prayers, many have already had severe damage as you can see.  Please remember Tim Greene as he recovers from his injuries, please keep us in your prayers as we continue this political campaign for at least another week and a half and remember, "The Battle Belongs to the LORD!" 

Look what GOD can do with a political sign...and telephone phone on Pepper Rd.    This road is next to where we live and several of our church family and friends live on.

                                                                                                                           With all HIS love,

                                                                                                                             mitzi 


More photos of the damage from the tornadoes this morning posted by the Denver Post: (amazing they are from the Denver post). Thank you JESUS no one was killed, and only one severely hurt in all this damage.

    http://photos.denverpost.com/mediacenter/2012/03/photos-alabama-tornadoes-hit-homes-and-prison-on-march-2-2012/30798/#name here

   

-- 

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

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

 "Just As I Am" Brian Doerkson