July 13, 2017

Greetings My Friend,

The churches in Clintwood are having a revival, the old fashioned kind outside with singing and preaching. I have never been to one of these revivals so I went full of curiosity. The first night there was a potluck where all the churches gathered to share a meal. When the Pastor got up to preach he talked about how we all came together in love, like it will be in heaven, not just one denomination but unified in Christ, this stuck in my heart. The singer and the band had that country sound with some of the long drawn out sounds and twangs I find I love. It is beautiful in its simplicity. The Preacher had that dramatic style that to me sounds like an urgency in his voice and reminding us of the need for Jesus. As a Christian we long for the return of Jesus and the Preacher urged us to make a decision and soon. We don't know the day or the hour of Jesus' return, we know though that it will come and we long for His return. While we wait for His return we also need to do our best to follow Jesus' commission to us as He rose into heaven " Therefore go and make disciple of  all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." What I learned again was how it is important it is to bring the Good News of Jesus to those I meet and those that had not given their life to Jesus, now was the time. I hear it in the KJV as I read about God's testimony, this word testimony tis an encouragement. God tells His story to us in the Bible, I tell others what God has done in my life since I accepted the gift of Jesus and repented of my sins. My story often encourages another person and opens their eyes to the gift of Jesus in their life. People can hear all of the hell fire and damnation speeches that abound but more often it is the simple sharing of how Jesus has worked in my life that opens their hearts to His saving grace. Pastor Joe tells his story a lot while he gives the sermon when I hear how a child of an alcoholic father who was shunned became a man of substance and integrity I learn that I matter to God with my own crazy childhood and adult life. When I have this kind of hope I want to share it with others, God gives me my unique ways of sharing, for me it is writing, telling about how God has helped me overcome abuse, cancer, wayward children and so many other things. Today God teaches me how to live with a broken body and how to accept it, to be content in it and to learn the lessons of being in this brokenness. My greatest need is to be wanted and useful so God shows me that I have many things to do for His kingdom building. I am anxious to see what the other nights of the revival will be like, we will go as long as our energy holds out and stay as long as my muscles allow me to and when they tighten up, we will leave. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet.