New Names Written Down in Heaven

I am so excited to annouce that we have THREE new babes in Christ. Alicia Simmons was saved last week during services, and then Carina Reis was gloriously saved last night, and I got news that Katie Grace was saved too. PRAISE GOD. I am so happy...no happy is not the word.... elated...full of JOY!

Please pray for these young new converts and welcome them to the beautiful family of God.

"...My soul doth MAGNIFY the LORD, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior....For he that is mighty hath done GREAT things; and HOLY is His name!" Luke 1: 46, 49

To Be Understood or to Understand?

"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." St. Matthew 16: 24-25

There are many times when my heart has been so burdened with things, hard to understand. Even I don't fully understand. Sometimes I long for someone to understand. "Why?", I ask myself, "Why does it matter who understands?"Sometimes we can feel so all alone. Then I come to that sweet hour of prayer, and all I can do is cry, and I know that my LORD understands. He understands better than I do. Yet in our human, we sometimes long for that human comfort; a sounding board...someone who will just listen.

Then I realize, "wait a minute! I am wrapped up in myself, and that makes a very small package." I look for others who have needs and when I sit and visit with them and they have a chance to be understood by me, my own little cross shrinks as I realize how I am not alone in this battle. I am sometimes amazed at the trials others are suffering through or have suffered through. The following well known prayer comes to my mind often when I feel my heart crying out for God to please send me someone who will understand:

"LORD, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life."

Author Francis of Assisi

Even when I am crying out to Jesus, I am reminded how little I understand all that he suffered through for me. The persecution, false accusations, loved ones rejecting him, friends forsaking him and misunderstanding him, imprisonment, a horrible beating (I remember, as it were, a small portion of what it's like to be beaten and its very scarey) people mocking him, hating him, and ultimately killing him in a very barbaric and humiliating way. Even before the cruciftion, how he died to himself and became poor, no where to lay his head; how he hungered, felt the strength of temptation and ultimately tasted death and seperation from God. All this, so he could understand us, and succour us in our time of need.

Oh, what a beautiful Savior! May God help me die to self and to ever seek to understand rather than to be understood!

Oh to understand! Jesus understands all we go through...so much better than we. We only sip a very tiny portion of the cup that he drank.

Bare Your Heart

LORD, What shall I say, what can I do
how can I open the door?

To tell some poor wandering soul

about you and how great you are

Bare your heart Liz, Bare your heart

tell them you were once where they are

tell them how dark, tell them how low

show them the terrible scar

But LORD, I'm afraid, so tender my heart

I'm certain would break open and bleed

How can I lay open my soul

to reach the poor sinners need

Bare your heart Liz, Bare your heart Liz

Don't be afraid for I'm here

I will take care, to help you along

there is no need to fear

But Lord, I'm ashamed so sinful was I

I'm certain would stain me again

How can I help the dying lost souls

and show them Jesus, my friend?

Bare your heart Liz, Bare your heart Liz

Tell them the blood washed away

every single shameful stain

and your standing clear today

Lord, I will Bare my heart just for you

no matter what it may cost

For you bore your heart, and you suffered shame

to rescue the poor and the lost

Bare your heart Liz, Yes, bare your heart

for that is how souls will be found

when you open your heart, and pour out my love

My light and my grace will abound!

Healing in His Wings

"For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again" Proverbs 24:16

A south American traveler tells of a curious conflict which he once witnessed between a little quadruped and a poisonous reptile of great size. The little creature seemed no match for its antagonist that threatened to destroy it by a blow, as well as its helpless young, but it fearlessly faced its mighty enemy and rushing at him, struck him with a succession of fierce and telling blows, but received at the onset a deep and apparently fatal wound from the poisonous fangs, which flashed for a moment of angry fire, and then fastened themselves deep into the flesh of the daring little assailant.
For a moment it seemed as if all were over, but the wise little creature immediately retired into the Forest, and hastening to the plantain tree, eagerly devoured some of its leaves, and then hurried back seemingly refreshed and restored, to renew the fray with vigor and determination. Again and again this strange spectacle was repeated: the serpent, although greatly exhausted, ferociously attacked, and again, and again wounded its antagonist to death, as it seemed, but the little creature each time repaired to its simple prescription, and returned to renewed victory. In the course of an hour or two the battle was over--the mammoth reptile lay still and dead and the little victor was unharmed, in the midst of the nest and the helpless little ones. ( Praise God! )
~Springs in the Valley

Memories dark and forbidden

like demons they crowd my mind

and threaten to overtake me

pursuing me from behind

Laughing they mock and surround me

"You'll never escape," they sneer

we hold the keys to your future

Larger than life they appear

Shadows dark and foreboding

cut like a knife through the years

like a hand reaching out to grab me

stirring up all of my fears

Oh for a black board eraser

and an easel to draw anew

a picture of happy childhood days

where love and compassion grew

Oh for a handful of happiness

of love and security

Would I not be a stronger soul,

serving God confidently?

Memories dark and forbidden

pushed back by the Saviors hand

chased away by his angels here

subjected to His command

Shadows dark and foreboding

give way in the light of His love

wrapped up in warmth and security

of promise from above

Jesus my Savior, my hero

my eyes lifted up to thee

Bring healing and hope to my rescue

and set me completely free!

Author Liz VC

In the Garden with God

It all started with dirt...

And some seeds...

Heart, Why are you sad; when Jesus wants to make you glad?

There's no need to be bowed down with care,

Behold, the weather is fair.

Soul, why grieve thee so; when thou art the LORD's loving roe?

Behold, the fields blooming with flower,

In God's grace there is power

Tears, why must you flow; in the midst where the Lebanon Cedars grow?

Behold, the birds sing his praise,

There's healing in the Sun's holy rays.

Child, why do ye thirst; near the brooks where clear water doth flow?

Behold the Shepherd stands near,

to His loving breast holdeth thee dear.
Author: Liz VC

Mint-Lime Tea

Sister Annette made us this refreshing tea while we were visiting her in Montana. The tea is easy to prepare and very healthy.

Mint is known for its ability to settle the stomach, sooth the digestive tract and reduce the severity and length of stomach aches. Mint also contains antifungal properties and is used in treating asthma and many allergy conditions as well. Mint contains the phytonutrient, perillyl alcohol, and chlorophyll which are both useful in the prevention of certain types of cancer.

Limes are rich in Potassium and vitamin C and honey is a natural energy booster and immune system builder.

To make, cut a bunch of mint leaves out of your garden (see me if you need a plant) Place in a pitcher. Pour in just enough very hot (not boiling) purified water to cover leaves. Cover the pitcher and let steep 3 minutes. Stir in a large spoonful of honey (about 1/4 -1/3 cup) Fill the pitcher with cold purified water. Add the juice of one fresh squeezed lime. Be sure not to add the peel unless it is an organic lime.

Following these instructions will insure the best nutrient quality tea. Pour over Ice and enjoy!

Happy 18th Birthday Amber!

Miss Frumpy Dumpy

Miss Frumpy Dumpy sat on a couch
Miss Frumpy Dumpy became a great grouch
All of her make-up, hairdo's and frills
Couldn't set Frumpy free from her ill's.

One day Miss Frumpy read the good book,
read about Jesus and the beating he took;
Read of the cross and his victry o're sin,
read how his blood makes us over agian.

So Miss Frumpy Dumpy went to God's Beauty School
No more to be Frumpy Dumpy the fool.
He cleaned up her heart, and taught her new ways
To get off the couch and make useful her days.

To keep a clean house, and wear a kind smile;
To thank God each day, and to not let things pile.
To train up her children in the way they should go,
and to keep her garments always white as the snow.

To love her dear husband with honor and praise,
and to be a good help-meet all of his days.
To always abound in the work of the Lord,
for this she was promised a lasting reward.

Miss Pretty Princess is now her new name,
For now in her heart King Jesus does reign.
She no longer has make-up, jewelry, or sin,
For Jesus has given her beauty within!
Author Liz VC

In the Garden