I have lots to be grateful for today... I'll share 3:
- Harriet
- Jessica
- I don't live in Nashville, Tennessee right now!
1. HARRIET:
Our Sunday morning ladies class has been awesome! It was the brainchild of Katherine. As I have shared on earlier posts, we are looking at Jesus through the book of Colossians as women are telling their "stories" related to a particular description of Jesus in the book. Harriet's was entitled:
- JESUS: The One Who Made Me Alive! (Colossians 2:13)
To know Harriet is to know joy, love, and life! To know Harriet is to get a glimpse of Jesus! She will be the first to tell you that her life has not been easy! Yet, she will be the first to praise God for her life.
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It was not easy for Harriet on Sunday morning. She headed for the church building only to find her car was not steering correctly. She was close to Advanced Auto. So, she swung into their lot. It was Sunday morning, though. She pounded on the door and prayed. Maybe someone was there who could help her. Sure enough "someone" came to the door in the form of "Chris". Even though, they were closed, he sold her some power steering fluid and put it in her car for her. Praise God! She made it to class in plenty time for us to receive the blessing! (Many of us signed a "thank you" and I took it to Chris yesterday - he was pleasantly surprised!)
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Harriet lost her husband in October 2003. Before he passed away, while he could still get out, they were invited to go with friends to a concert of "an Elvis impersonator". Harriet absolutely loved the concert and introduced herself to Elvis (Mike). She became a big fan, attended more concerts, and even met his family. After her husband's death, Mike's wife Tina invited Harriet to "come to church with us." Tina continued to invite Harriet until she finally attended the Pitman church of Christ with Mike and Tina and family.
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Not only did Harriet fall in love with our church family, but she found an apartment and moved here without a job. Quickly, she found one that paid the rent until she could find another. Soon, she got on working the night shift which allowed her to attend our Tuesday morning ladies class. This was paramount! We were studying Beth Moore's book, BELIEVING HIM! In the first class she attended about the Promised Land, she realized that she didn't know much about the Old Testament. She couldn't understand why God would put a promised land here on earth. Then, Harriet told us, "God started to teach me and I listened."
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The book's theme phrase begins like this, "God is who He says He is. God can do what He says He can do..." Harriet began to let the entire theme take root deep in her heart. She fell deeply in love with God and said she has learned some powerful lessons in the last few years:
- God says to "TRUST ME!" He has taken her on a journey to learn to trust Him and only Him.
- God says to "CHOOSE WHO YOU WILL SERVE". Harriet says her finances were a shambles and she was serving her credit card debt. She thought, "Choose: Charge or Change". She chose to change! Tina helped her to cut up her credit cards and she will be debt free by 2011.
- God says to "LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." Her job is tough as she daily works among worldly people. God began to teach her how to get along with all people. It was not long on the new job that others knew she was different and even started apologizing to her for the way they spoke.
- Again, God says to "TRUST ME!" She was having trouble getting up the 18 steps to her apartment. A great first floor apartment came available but she did not have the earnest money to put down. She was told of someone in the church to call and a friend said, "Do it! If they can help you, then you know it is from God!" Sure enough, they gave her the earnest money and she now lives in an apartment "with a ramp" that looks out over some beautiful woods.
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Harriet now holds these Old Testament words very close to her heart,
"Have I not commanded you?
Be strong and courageous.
Do not be terrified,
do not be discouraged,
for the LORD your God
will be with you wherever you go."
Previously, Harriet had been part of another church where she served as a deaconess, on the flower committee, and hospitality committee. Once she came to Pitman, she began getting into God's word and let Him change her from the inside out.
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She said, "I asked God to change me and He is..." I've been learning who God is and I've trusted and obeyed! What changed was really understanding God's word and how it applied to my life!" She continued, "Now, I have the 'right friends' who are real friends. I have joy in Christ! I am alive!"
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2. JESSICA:
It's been a long almost 15 years with Jessica and her ongoing migraines. She has tried so many medicines and therapies, both medical and alternative. We're trying acupuncture again. Last week, as she was entering the fourth week of twice a week, the acupuncturist said, "She is too fragile. Let's do it only once a week." For a little while on Sunday and a little while yesterday, Jessica was able to be up and around. I treasure those times!
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I took her out for a drive on Sunday with her sunglasses on. We drove out to the Peterson's and then by our new church building that's going up. Here's the shot that I took from the driver's side. I think that's Jessica's hand! (BTW, I'm very thankful for the progress of our new building and all the sacrifice and work that are going into it.)
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.3. NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE:
If you have not heard of the flood in Nashville, Tennessee or really don't know a lot about it, I implore you to go to my other blog to get informed, pray, and see how you can help. Thank you!
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