Well, here I am, back in Texas! I enjoyed my trip back to the land of my nativity, but man, was it rushed! I tried to post from Arkansas, but we were so busy, I just couldn't take the time to do it. I also did a lousy job of getting photos of anyone! I kept leaving my camera in the van, and it was pouring down rain nearly the entire time we were home! I did get to enjoy the crisp mornings and the gorgeous colors that have come to typify autumn. It was great!
The preaching was good- but long! With two preachers in the evenings, we didn't get out of church until 11:00 or later. That was hard! Laci got sick on Wednesday night, so I missed the morning services on Thursday (when Terry got to preach!) and the evening services. We made it in late Friday night and Saturday was our ladies fellowship. I had to take Laci to the ER on Sunday morning, because she got a terrible rash (it's better now) and I found out she has another ear infection! (Help, LORD!) She may need tubes. We would appreciate your prayers for her. We're really worn out, and she is too! :(
Mrs. Laurie Hall, missionary wife to Kenya, Africa, spoke to our ladies on Saturday, and it was such a blessing! She gave her salvation testimony and then shared a devotional thought from Psalm 37. She then answered our questions about Kenya. I got to have her family up to our house on Sat. night, Sunday, and Monday. It was so nice to get to fellowship with her. Her boys are 17 and 15 and are so kind. They have very good attitudes. I asked Laurie if they did anything extra to ensure that the boys stay close to the Lord and she said they have always taught the boys their motto "Life is for service." I thought that was great. That's our new family motto! I want my children to be servants! I want them to serve God, and to serve others. God didn't give us life so we could become rich, or famous, or leaders of the free world, but simply to serve. She was such a blessing to me, and Bro. Hall was a big encouragement to Terry.
We believe the way up is down, and that's how we plan to live. Jesus stooped down to wash the disciples' feet, and he stooped down from Heaven to save my wicked soul! I think I'll just spend my life "stooping down" to serve others as He leads me. After all, as Laurie Hall says, "Life is for service!" And she's right!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Do We Have to Rub Elbows?
We head out tomorrow afternoon for Arkansas - also known as HOME SWEET HOME!! I still have to pack for all of us, so I'll be brief. I'm not sure when I'll be able to post again. I'll try to post from Arkansas. I have several photos to upload, but I'll have to get on that when I get home.
I am planning on getting some photos of friends and family this week to share with you.
It will be really great to hear so many wonderful preachers and singers at the camp meeting this week. I am so tired of Christians rubbing elbows with the world and calling it "Christ like". Why do we have to get closer and closer to the world? Why can't we all just live by the Bible? I'm not perfect at all, but I try to be oh-so-careful when it comes to music, television, clothing and even this little thing I'm using now - the Internet! The devil wants to destroy our testimonies. I want to keep my guard up, and I hope you do too. One way I do that is by submerging myself in good, sound Bible teaching and preaching! That's what I'll be doing this next week, Lord willing. I'll be hearing some great men of God (who haven't started rubbing elbows with the world). They include: Dr. Don Green, Dr. Jack Thompson, Dr. Tom Wallace and many others. These men may not be "in style"(to the world) with their clothes or music, but they know God's Word and they live it, and that will never be out of style to me! I'll take the "old paths"- they're tried and true!
I am planning on getting some photos of friends and family this week to share with you.
It will be really great to hear so many wonderful preachers and singers at the camp meeting this week. I am so tired of Christians rubbing elbows with the world and calling it "Christ like". Why do we have to get closer and closer to the world? Why can't we all just live by the Bible? I'm not perfect at all, but I try to be oh-so-careful when it comes to music, television, clothing and even this little thing I'm using now - the Internet! The devil wants to destroy our testimonies. I want to keep my guard up, and I hope you do too. One way I do that is by submerging myself in good, sound Bible teaching and preaching! That's what I'll be doing this next week, Lord willing. I'll be hearing some great men of God (who haven't started rubbing elbows with the world). They include: Dr. Don Green, Dr. Jack Thompson, Dr. Tom Wallace and many others. These men may not be "in style"(to the world) with their clothes or music, but they know God's Word and they live it, and that will never be out of style to me! I'll take the "old paths"- they're tried and true!
Friday, October 19, 2007
I Had Some Prayers Answered!
Well, it's been a red letter week! I am reminded of I Thess.5:18 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Easy to type, hard to do! I mean, we all love to thank Him for safety, good health, good finances, souls saved, etc. But it's hard to thank Him when we are ill, we're in a car wreck, we're broke, no one is getting saved despite faithfully going soul winning, and so forth.
This week we were in a revival meeting. We didn't see anyone get saved, we didn't have to put out chairs for attendance, and our neighbor churches of like faith didn't come out to support us. (Back home, we would go to a revival in a nearby church of like faith to offer support. After all, we're all on the same team! Aren't we?) We felt let down. We'd prayed all week for the Lord to send lost people that would be saved. We were faithful and all of one accord but He said "no", for now. We are not quitting! We will not stop soul winning, singing, smiling and living a life that is Christ honoring! I want to thank the Lord for having His way this past week. Was it what I wanted? No. Was it what He wanted? YES! This is His church, and we are following Him, so He surely did have His way, and I'm glad!
I went to the dentist on Wednesday to have my teeth cleaned and examined. I prayed that the Lord would please not let me have any cavities, or expensive work that needed to be done. But, I had a bad feeling about my teeth, so my prayer had some doubt in it. Again, God said "no". The dentist presented to me so many things that had to be fixed that I had to fight back the tears! I don't have insurance, and in case you didn't know, I'm not financially wealthy. I am wealthy in many, many other ways though! One way is that I am saved. That's enough right there! But it doesn't stop there, I am blessed by Him everyday! So I can say "Thank you". This teeth thing is a set back, but I'm going to keep praying and waiting on God to use this for good. Romans 8:28 applies to teeth too, you know! :)
The bottom line: I had some prayers answered this week! I hear you saying "But, uh, Valerie they weren't answered! Your revival didn't go the way you'd asked and you had tons of problems with your teeth!" You're right! But "no" still qualifies as an answer! God answered...He said "no". It hurts, but I will make it. I can make it, because I have Him.
By the way, I was hurt at first. If you've read very many of my posts, you know that I am right behind Paul for the "chiefest of sinners" title. I'm definitely no "super Christian". I couldn't understand at first. I wondered "Why Lord?" But, because I know Him, I know I can trust Him. He will take care of me. I love the song that says "And although there have been times I've been out of His will, I've never been out of His care." He cares for me...and you.
I know it's a little early for Thanksgiving, but I want to give Him thanks. I'm thankful He heard me, and that He said no. I know He did it because He loves me and He knows what's best for me!
This week we were in a revival meeting. We didn't see anyone get saved, we didn't have to put out chairs for attendance, and our neighbor churches of like faith didn't come out to support us. (Back home, we would go to a revival in a nearby church of like faith to offer support. After all, we're all on the same team! Aren't we?) We felt let down. We'd prayed all week for the Lord to send lost people that would be saved. We were faithful and all of one accord but He said "no", for now. We are not quitting! We will not stop soul winning, singing, smiling and living a life that is Christ honoring! I want to thank the Lord for having His way this past week. Was it what I wanted? No. Was it what He wanted? YES! This is His church, and we are following Him, so He surely did have His way, and I'm glad!
I went to the dentist on Wednesday to have my teeth cleaned and examined. I prayed that the Lord would please not let me have any cavities, or expensive work that needed to be done. But, I had a bad feeling about my teeth, so my prayer had some doubt in it. Again, God said "no". The dentist presented to me so many things that had to be fixed that I had to fight back the tears! I don't have insurance, and in case you didn't know, I'm not financially wealthy. I am wealthy in many, many other ways though! One way is that I am saved. That's enough right there! But it doesn't stop there, I am blessed by Him everyday! So I can say "Thank you". This teeth thing is a set back, but I'm going to keep praying and waiting on God to use this for good. Romans 8:28 applies to teeth too, you know! :)
The bottom line: I had some prayers answered this week! I hear you saying "But, uh, Valerie they weren't answered! Your revival didn't go the way you'd asked and you had tons of problems with your teeth!" You're right! But "no" still qualifies as an answer! God answered...He said "no". It hurts, but I will make it. I can make it, because I have Him.
By the way, I was hurt at first. If you've read very many of my posts, you know that I am right behind Paul for the "chiefest of sinners" title. I'm definitely no "super Christian". I couldn't understand at first. I wondered "Why Lord?" But, because I know Him, I know I can trust Him. He will take care of me. I love the song that says "And although there have been times I've been out of His will, I've never been out of His care." He cares for me...and you.
I know it's a little early for Thanksgiving, but I want to give Him thanks. I'm thankful He heard me, and that He said no. I know He did it because He loves me and He knows what's best for me!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
The Latest
Well, the revival meeting has begun...now we're just waiting on true revival to move into our hearts. The preaching has been right on the money so far. The Devil has been fighting us, so we must be doing right, or he wouldn't care!
Please keep praying for our church if you can. Prayer really makes a difference. Terry just told our people during the the week of prayer meetings that praying is hard to do because it is so powerful, therefore, Satan tries very hard to keep us off our knees, or out of our "spot". Boy! I can say a hearty "Amen" to that!
Laci is not sleeping all night, still! She has been on her anti-biotic for four days, and no real improvement. I only wish she could tell me what is hurting her. Terry and I have a shift worked out so that one of us gets some good sleep for half the night, but hey, it's getting old. Y'all know how it is...we just need sleep! Please pray for her. The doctor mentioned that she might have acid reflux that is bothering her at night. I haven't seen any symptoms of that, but if she isn't better soon, I guess we'll look into that. Lauren lost her spelling book yesterday, and we've looked everywhere and can't find it! That's frustrating. You know, just another one of those "little foxes" that spoil the vines. I'm supposed to go the dentist tomorrow...yuck! I have had trouble in the past with a tooth and I'm fearful it's acting up again. I am praying it will go well.
The Devil is fighting, and we are trying to fight back, by praying and staying faithful.
On a happy note, the church honored us for our two year anniversary as Pastor. They gave us a very sweet card that each one had signed a note to us in and a very generous love offering...what a blessing! They also had a special meal at the church for us and gave Terry some bookends that were made of white limestone. They have a cross hand carved in them. The event was a surprise, so I don't have any photos yet, but I'll try to post some soon. Sometimes I can't believe it's been two years, and other times it feels like 10! I thank the Lord for allowing us to serve Him, and these people, for two years!
Well,that's the latest news from us. Thanks for stopping by...I'll try to post again soon!
Please keep praying for our church if you can. Prayer really makes a difference. Terry just told our people during the the week of prayer meetings that praying is hard to do because it is so powerful, therefore, Satan tries very hard to keep us off our knees, or out of our "spot". Boy! I can say a hearty "Amen" to that!
Laci is not sleeping all night, still! She has been on her anti-biotic for four days, and no real improvement. I only wish she could tell me what is hurting her. Terry and I have a shift worked out so that one of us gets some good sleep for half the night, but hey, it's getting old. Y'all know how it is...we just need sleep! Please pray for her. The doctor mentioned that she might have acid reflux that is bothering her at night. I haven't seen any symptoms of that, but if she isn't better soon, I guess we'll look into that. Lauren lost her spelling book yesterday, and we've looked everywhere and can't find it! That's frustrating. You know, just another one of those "little foxes" that spoil the vines. I'm supposed to go the dentist tomorrow...yuck! I have had trouble in the past with a tooth and I'm fearful it's acting up again. I am praying it will go well.
The Devil is fighting, and we are trying to fight back, by praying and staying faithful.
On a happy note, the church honored us for our two year anniversary as Pastor. They gave us a very sweet card that each one had signed a note to us in and a very generous love offering...what a blessing! They also had a special meal at the church for us and gave Terry some bookends that were made of white limestone. They have a cross hand carved in them. The event was a surprise, so I don't have any photos yet, but I'll try to post some soon. Sometimes I can't believe it's been two years, and other times it feels like 10! I thank the Lord for allowing us to serve Him, and these people, for two years!
Well,that's the latest news from us. Thanks for stopping by...I'll try to post again soon!
Saturday, October 13, 2007
I'm Needing What's Needful
Luke 11:40-42
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
We've had great times of prayer at our church all week. The last session is tonight, and then revival begins Sunday. The devil has been fighting us tooth and toenail all week. Laci has an ear infection, and Leslie has some terrible fungus on her scalp. (She'll be on medication for 6 weeks!!) I am going to be cooking for the Evangelist, and therefore I need my house to be clean for company! We'll need around 12 outfits a day (2 for each of us) for the duration of the meeting. Oh, did I mention I homeschool? Today I need to clean my house, then go down and help the ladies clean the church. I am about to go make my Saturday visits, and I must prep for Super Church.
Already I feel overwhelmed and somewhat defeated...can I survive a revival? I feel worn out from "revival preparation"! If Satan can get me so "cumbered about much serving" as Martha was, then I will miss the "one thing that is needful"- the best part! I suppose you could say "I need what's needful". I don't want to miss out on Revival! If no one else gets anything, I want to.
At every prayer meeting, the Lord helped me get a step closer to seeing a revival in my own heart. The first 2 nights, I couldn't really even pray for others because God was bringing to light some things I needed to let go of in my own life! He was purifying me, I guess. And I always need that!
Please be in prayer for our church. Yes, we'd love to see souls saved, and folks added to the church. But not for our glory, for God's!
Because of the "busy-ness" of the forthcoming week, I may not be able to post daily. I will definitely post blessings from the revival meeting when I can. Thank you for stopping by, and thank you for praying for my church! And please...pray for me!
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
We've had great times of prayer at our church all week. The last session is tonight, and then revival begins Sunday. The devil has been fighting us tooth and toenail all week. Laci has an ear infection, and Leslie has some terrible fungus on her scalp. (She'll be on medication for 6 weeks!!) I am going to be cooking for the Evangelist, and therefore I need my house to be clean for company! We'll need around 12 outfits a day (2 for each of us) for the duration of the meeting. Oh, did I mention I homeschool? Today I need to clean my house, then go down and help the ladies clean the church. I am about to go make my Saturday visits, and I must prep for Super Church.
Already I feel overwhelmed and somewhat defeated...can I survive a revival? I feel worn out from "revival preparation"! If Satan can get me so "cumbered about much serving" as Martha was, then I will miss the "one thing that is needful"- the best part! I suppose you could say "I need what's needful". I don't want to miss out on Revival! If no one else gets anything, I want to.
At every prayer meeting, the Lord helped me get a step closer to seeing a revival in my own heart. The first 2 nights, I couldn't really even pray for others because God was bringing to light some things I needed to let go of in my own life! He was purifying me, I guess. And I always need that!
Please be in prayer for our church. Yes, we'd love to see souls saved, and folks added to the church. But not for our glory, for God's!
Because of the "busy-ness" of the forthcoming week, I may not be able to post daily. I will definitely post blessings from the revival meeting when I can. Thank you for stopping by, and thank you for praying for my church! And please...pray for me!
Friday, October 12, 2007
Where I Really Belong.
In just a few days, we'll be heading northeast, toward HOME! Soon we'll be going to Arkansas for a short visit during the annual camp meeting at Victory Baptist Church. My hometown, Benton, is growing and changing everyday. It is about 20 minutes from Little Rock, and it is fast becoming a suburb of of Little Rock. But no matter how far away from Arkansas I move, when I cross the state line and see the glorious "Welcome to Arkansas The Natural State" sign - well part of me wants to jump out of the car and hug it or something! It makes me so glad to know I'm getting close to my hometown. And no matter how much Benton changes, when I get there, I just feel like I belong. It's my town. I grew up there. I ate with friends at that Taco Bell! I went to that Wal-Mart too many times to count as a teen. I worked at Landers Auto Sales and at Malvern National Bank!!! I learned to drive on those streets. I visited the bus kids on the not-so-nice part of town. I belong there.
Today I read I Thessalonians 4:16-18
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
This is a very familiar passage. Lots of people can quote it. As I read it, I was reminded that I don't really belong here. No, not Texas or Arkansas, but in this world. There's a much better and more permanent home waiting for me. Don't get me wrong, I love where I live, and you already know that I love Arkansas!!! But, I love Heaven even more.
I like the phrase "Home Sweet Home " but maybe "Home Sweet Heaven" would be better, and truer. Maybe He'll come back today and we'll be "caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." Now that makes me want to hug something!
Thank you, Lord, for making a way for me to go to Heaven to be with you
forever!
Today I read I Thessalonians 4:16-18
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
This is a very familiar passage. Lots of people can quote it. As I read it, I was reminded that I don't really belong here. No, not Texas or Arkansas, but in this world. There's a much better and more permanent home waiting for me. Don't get me wrong, I love where I live, and you already know that I love Arkansas!!! But, I love Heaven even more.
I like the phrase "Home Sweet Home " but maybe "Home Sweet Heaven" would be better, and truer. Maybe He'll come back today and we'll be "caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." Now that makes me want to hug something!
Thank you, Lord, for making a way for me to go to Heaven to be with you
forever!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Abounding in Love
I remember the sweet spirit in our church. The song services seemed to fill our auditorium with an electricity that could be felt. Everyone singing out in unison, with smiles on their faces and a bounce in their step. I remember one particular night when I was about 14, standing there in our old orange-carpeted auditorium singing next to my Mom and Dad thinking "There isn't one person in this church that I don't love with all my heart." I had no bitterness toward anyone, there was no one that I couldn't get along with. They were, and are, some of the sweetest people in the world.
There was Mrs. Denise, a practical joker who worked at church with a sweet spirit at whatever was needed - nursery, kitchen, cleaning, teaching - it mattered little. She did whatever was needed without complaining. There was Mrs. Marie, my Mom's soul winning partner, kindergarten Sun. School teacher, and junior choir director (boy, did she put up with a lot from us!). She too, would do anything that was needed. There was Mrs. Susie, and Bro. Jenceson, my bus captain and driver, respectively. Hard workers, and great attitudes. I could go on and on. Mrs. Cindy, and Audri, her daughter and my friend - faithful, willing, and happy to serve the Lord. My best friend growing up was Dixie. She and her family traveled with a tent evangelist years ago, so she wasn't there too much. When she was there, she too had a great spirit about doing whatever the Lord wanted her to. We've been friends since we were about 11 or 12 years old. Not once did she try to get me to do wrong. Not once. I pray my daughters find friends that are just like she was to me - a godly influence. Most people at my home church were like the ones I listed above. There was a spirit of unity, love and sacrifice in my church.
I hadn't been a member of my home church for about six years when my Dad went to Heaven, though I had visited quite a lot in those years. When I went home to Benton after losing Dad, and I walked through the doors of Victory Baptist Church, it was like running into the arms of the world's largest family! Some 100 plus members who were grieving and hurting with me, who wanted to help me, pray for me...love me. What a blessing!
Since leaving that church and seeing other churches I see that what I experienced in my home church is rare. So many Baptist churches do not have that sweet spirit. I am blessed that the church we are in here in Texas has a great spirit. It is small, but everyone loves each other, and is willing to do whatever God wants them to do.
Today I read I Thessalonians 3:12 "And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:" That's how Victory Baptist was, and still is, and that's how I pray our church here continues to be: everyone abounding in love for each other. The Bible says that "Hatred stirreth up srifes: but love covereth all sins." Prov. 10:12 . I need love, we all do! Is Victory Baptist Church or Northside Baptist Church perfect? No way. But when we all love each other, we tend to look for the best. And if you look for the best, I guarantee, you'll find it!
There was Mrs. Denise, a practical joker who worked at church with a sweet spirit at whatever was needed - nursery, kitchen, cleaning, teaching - it mattered little. She did whatever was needed without complaining. There was Mrs. Marie, my Mom's soul winning partner, kindergarten Sun. School teacher, and junior choir director (boy, did she put up with a lot from us!). She too, would do anything that was needed. There was Mrs. Susie, and Bro. Jenceson, my bus captain and driver, respectively. Hard workers, and great attitudes. I could go on and on. Mrs. Cindy, and Audri, her daughter and my friend - faithful, willing, and happy to serve the Lord. My best friend growing up was Dixie. She and her family traveled with a tent evangelist years ago, so she wasn't there too much. When she was there, she too had a great spirit about doing whatever the Lord wanted her to. We've been friends since we were about 11 or 12 years old. Not once did she try to get me to do wrong. Not once. I pray my daughters find friends that are just like she was to me - a godly influence. Most people at my home church were like the ones I listed above. There was a spirit of unity, love and sacrifice in my church.
I hadn't been a member of my home church for about six years when my Dad went to Heaven, though I had visited quite a lot in those years. When I went home to Benton after losing Dad, and I walked through the doors of Victory Baptist Church, it was like running into the arms of the world's largest family! Some 100 plus members who were grieving and hurting with me, who wanted to help me, pray for me...love me. What a blessing!
Since leaving that church and seeing other churches I see that what I experienced in my home church is rare. So many Baptist churches do not have that sweet spirit. I am blessed that the church we are in here in Texas has a great spirit. It is small, but everyone loves each other, and is willing to do whatever God wants them to do.
Today I read I Thessalonians 3:12 "And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:" That's how Victory Baptist was, and still is, and that's how I pray our church here continues to be: everyone abounding in love for each other. The Bible says that "Hatred stirreth up srifes: but love covereth all sins." Prov. 10:12 . I need love, we all do! Is Victory Baptist Church or Northside Baptist Church perfect? No way. But when we all love each other, we tend to look for the best. And if you look for the best, I guarantee, you'll find it!