A Mom Will Protect

A few weeks ago I had an experience I will not soon forget. While watching our grown son sitting on a horse, getting ready to go on a "trail ride", the horse decided to get cantankerous, and the next thing I saw was Andrew on the ground with the horse stepping all around him. My heart stopped, but I went into ACTION! I know horses are powerful animals, and they can hurt you if you don't know what to do with them, but it didn't matter at that moment that I could have put myself in danger. All that mattered to me was that MY SON didn't get trampled by a horse! Then, I was cautioned by Jonathan, our other son, "Mom, the last thing you need to do when something like that happens is run toward the horse!" He was only trying to protect "Mom", and I understand that, but, I couldn't help myself! I COULDN'T stop myself! "MOM" went into action calling on the name of Jesus for protection.

I've relived that moment over and over for a few weeks, but not until I heard another story about someone that was "actively" trying to "woo" one of our young preacher's into their clutches of deception did I really consider the depth of my actions in our "Horse and Rider" story.

The Church, has been referred to many times as a "Mother of spiritual children", and there are times we must stand up and PROTECT our "young". "Mother" can not stand by and watch her young preachers and preacher's wives being destroyed from the deception that is sweeping our world! We love our "young", and we will protect them even if we are put into danger of being trampled by deceptive spirits that want to run wild, only to pursue and destroy.

My heart is stirred and I will not sit idly by and feel helpless. The enemy wants to make us think we are, but we're not! We can pray a protection around our "younger generation" and surround them with love, then draw them close so they know they are SAFE!

Neither am I hopeless! We have an army of young men and young ladies who love Truth as much as their elders do. They will not bow, they will not give in, they will not back down! I have heard them declare Truth in their preaching! I have watched them live Truth in their actions! I have felt the spirit of God as they brought us into worship! Our "young" are marching forward, bearing the banner of Truth! I love being in their presence. I love to stand and talk to them and listen to their hopes and dreams. And, I, along with others, will walk beside them and help them see their dreams of revival and harvest come to pass.

So, young preacher! Young preacher's wife! Stand strong! Fight the GOOD FIGHT! Go to battle! Fight the war! You will WIN and be the CHAMPIONS OF TRUTH!

What Are You Protecting?

I was going through some things tonight and found a quote I had written down in 2008. I was listening to the news when I heard someone say,

"These soldiers don't fight because they hate
what's in front of them.
They fight because they love what's behind them."

Knowing some of you who read my blog, I think this quote got your attention just like it got mine when I heard it.

This statement really makes me think about what I am "fighting for". I want the future of the church, and the spiritual future of my children and grandchildren to be greater and mightier than I ever experienced when I was younger, so I will continue to "fight for" a great future, because I believe in a church that is moving forward. I believe in a church that loves the truth and will not sell out for the beggarly elements of this world. And, I believe in a church who will not surrender it's young preacher's and preacher's wives to the howling wolves of materialism and worldliness! The message of truth will be preached, because God will always have a church that will "forsake all to follow Him".

So, what am I going to "fight for"? What are you going to "fight for"? I have purposed to "fight for" what I have always loved.

I've loved....hearing preacher's who love this truth, preach without worrying who might be offended.

I've loved....the message of separation from the world.

I've loved....the joyful sounds of praise and worship in the many services I have been privileged to attend.

I've loved....dancing in the presence of Almighty God.

I've loved....the anointed singing that only comes when the "singer" has a relationship with Jesus!

I've loved....the "spirit of unity" that prevails in the Church.

I've loved....souls coming to God, repenting, being baptized in Jesus Name, and being filled with the Holy Ghost.

I've loved....taking my children to Camp Meetings, Youth Camps, Fellowship Meetings, and Youth Rallies where they could be with friends, and make new friends who love the truth like they do.

I've loved....the old-time preaching, praying, singing, shouting!

I've loved...."red hot" prayer meetings where the saints shook the gates of hell demanding the release of our loved ones...and we've seen it happen.

Need I go on? I could! I will defend and fight with all my heart, for the rest of my life, what I have been taught by anointed men and women of God who love the truth. They never wavered when their friends criticized them for "preaching it too hard". They never wavered when their friends "left the truth because they just didn't believe it like that any longer". The men and women of God I speak of, were never wishy-washy in what they believed, and that's the reason there is a church that is standing strong and sure in 2010!!!

I really feel an urgency to "fight for that which is behind us"! Satan would love to destroy our "legacy of truth". He would love to destroy what we have loved since the beginning when the Church was formed!

Am I discouraged about the Church and it's future? Oh no! I feel the strength of an army of young warriors who are picking up the "swords of truth" and they are ready to "defend" it! They are fighting for what has been preached to them! I'm encouraged! I'm excited! I have no fear of what the future holds, because they will "fight for" and "defend" the foundations that have not crumbled through the ages! The walls of truth are strong and sure, and will become stronger as we continue loving and protecting that which was given to us by those who fought before us!

A Special Night

Last night we went to church in Hudson, TX and was so blessed to be there. When I walked in I felt so warm inside, because of the welcome extended to us by Pastor and Sis. Smith and the saints of God. The warmth I felt was not only because of the people who attend there, but God met me when I walked in. We had a wonderful service! Bro. Elzine Strong, an old warrior was visiting and he blessed our hearts as he spoke for a few minutes. Then, Bro. Vernon Neely, another warrior gave a testimony about the healing power of Jesus, and we were once again blessed! As I sat there I thought, "We are sitting in a heavenly place!" Not too many people in this world have the privilege of hearing elder minister's expound on the Word of God in one night. I loved hearing both of these men!

The service was also blessed with some TBC students. They were wonderful to have in service. They worshipped with all their hearts, and I was so proud of them! TBC student, Clint Long brought the main message and did a real good job delivering his heart.

While he was preaching I glanced across the aisle and this is what I saw.Look closely and you will see Bro. Strong was taking notes while the "young man" preached! What a picture! I know the "young preacher" was most likely nervous preaching while these "old warriors" sat in the audience, and I wanted to tell him he was preaching to his greatest supporters!

Here's a word to you, young preacher's....The "old preacher" wants to see the "young preacher" succeed! They want you to feel that familiar anointing they have felt through the years! They want you to preach it with all your heart, without fear or favor! They want to see God bless you as He has blessed them! Go ahead and PREACH, young preacher! It's beautiful watching from a distance as you run beside those who have carried the torch of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for so long.

Young preacher, run slow enough so you don't leave the elder behind. You can learn from him as you stay beside him. Listen close, listen intently. If you will stay attentive, through the deep breaths he's taking to stay in the race a little longer, you will hear instructions on how to run this race.

One day while you're running you may notice he is no longer there. It's okay to pick up your pace after you take him to his resting place and pay honor to him...but if I understand life...when you resume the race, you will catch up to another elder who needs to hear the words of a "young preacher" encouraging him to "keep running the race that is before him." Let him know you will be by his side helping him carry the banner of truth!

As the years go by....one day....you will glance to the side...and YOU will see a "young preacher" running beside you, and you will hear these words...."Come on, Elder! You can make it! Keep running! Keep preaching! We want to hear every word you have to say! You have been running a long time....please talk to us!"

Then...you will sit down on the pew to hear the "young preacher" preach. You will take notes of what you're hearing, because the Word of God never grows old to the "old warrior" who has given his life for this precious Gospel!

And the cycle goes on....and on....and on............