NEWS FROM THE POTTER

It had just rained the night before and there were still droplets of water perched on every leaf. As I gently touched one of the droplets, I thought of how seemingly insignificant one drop of water is to us. I held the droplet on the tip of my finger and, as I gazed upon it, it dawned on me how precious it would be to someone in hell.

Two thousand years ago, the rich man in hell, mentioned in Luke 16, cried out for Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool his tongue. He wailed that he was tormented in the fiery flames and would be grateful for just one drop of water...just one! That rich man is still in hell toay. He is still crying out. For, you see, he hasn't seen or felt even one tiny droplet of water in over 2000 years. And what's worse, he will never, ever, throughout all eternity ever feel or taste another drop again.

Dear one, don't get so caught up in the things that will pass away that you neglect the things that won't pass away. Take care of your soul. It's the only one you have. When this life is over, you will never have another chance to go back and make things right! Do today what you will wish you had done when you stand before Almighty God after your physical life here on earth is over!

..........Melody and I are going to a conference tomorrow at First Baptist Church of Rochelle. We will be spending the night in Cordele. We are supposed to be there to give information to the ladies about the P.H. We will have a table with our information and will be answering any questions everyone has.

"True holiness includes control over our physical bodies and appetites. If we are to pursue holiness, we must recognize that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that we are to glorify God with them. Today, most of us Christians are lacking in the area of holiness of body. Gluttony and laziness, for example, were regarded by earlier Christians as sin. Today, we may look on these as weaknesses of the will, but certainly not sin. We even joke about our overeating and other indulgences instead of crying out to God in confession and repentance.

Our physical bodies and natural appetites were created by God and are not sinful in themselves. Nevertheless, if left uncontrolled, we will find out bodies becoming instruments of wickedness rather than instruments of righteousness. We will be pursuing the cravings of the sinful man instead of holiness. If we watch ourselves closely, we can see how often we eat and drink just to gratify physical desire; how often we lie in bed in the morning simply because we don't feel like getting up when we should; how often we give in to immoral looks and thoughts simply to satisfy the sin-tainted sex drive within us.

Michael Quoist in his book, "The Christian Response" says, "If your body makes all the decisions and gives all the orders and if you obey, the physical can effectively destroy every other dimension of your personality. Your emotional life will be blunted and your spiritual life will be stifled and ultimately will become anemic." Over 200 years ago, Susanna Wesley wrote, "Whatever increases the strength and authority of your body over your mind....that thing is sin to you."

There is no place for laziness and indulgence of the body in a disciplined pursuit of holiness. We have to learn to say no to the body instead of continually giving in to its momentary desires. We tend to act according to our feelings. The trouble is, we seldom feel like doing what we should do. That is why we have to take control of our bodies and make them our servants instead of our masters." Taken from "The Pursuit of Holiness" by Jerry Bridges

We all desire it, but we don't all have it. 20/20 vision, that is! It sure would be nice to see clearly without glasses or contacts, but that's not usually the case after a certain age. However, the great news is that we have optometrists that can examine our eyes and tell us what we need to give us pretty close to 20/20 sight.

Well, we don't have 20/20 spiritual vision either. In fact, none of us have it! We all need the great Spiritual Optometrist to examine our vision and prescribe what we need to see clearly. I found my prescription this morning in the Word. It is II Chronicles 20/20. "Have faith in the Lord, your God, and you will be upheld. Have faith in His prophets and you will be successful."

There it is! To see clearly, I must have faith in the Lord. He will uphold me and guide me when I am trusting in Him. I must have faith in His prophets, which are the words written down in His Holy Word by the prophets of old, who were moved by the Holy Spirit. By following the precious words written by His prophets, I will be successful.

How about you today, dear one? Has your vision been blurred? Are you having trouble seeing clearly? If so, perhaps you haven't had your prescription filled. Today would be a good day to go to II Chronicles 20/20 and just start believing God! Have faith in Him. Have faith in His prophets. Then you, too, like John Newton, can sing, "Twas blind, but now I see."

..........Check out the newsletter today. There are pictures of 3 of our graduates: Katie, Sarah, and Jessica. They are all doing good. It is so awesome to us to see the girls standing and doing good. Many of our graduates keep up with us on a regular basis. We are a family, not a facility. We become very close. Our extended family is growing bigger every day. We have so many graduates out there that it's getting harder to keep up with them. Julie is assuming that privilege of keeping them connected. She will be keeping up with all graduates and planning things for them.

A gnawing, unsettled feeling. Restlessness. A deep longing in my soul. Something was wrong, but I couldn't put my finger on the problem. I was faithful in my Christian walk. I read my Bible and prayed consistently. I attended all services at church. But, somehow I found myself stranded. Somewhere I had taken a detour and felt so far away from God. I was unable to sense His presence. I was frustrated in my attempts to get back to Him again. I found myself "trying" rather than "trusting;" "fretting" rather than "resting;" "saying prayers" rather than "praying." I had detoured from my closeness to Christ.

This detour was full of potholes...and I had fallen into every one of them. I wanted back on the straight and narrow path again. I wanted to feel His overflowing joy and love. I wanted to know again those rivers of living water pouring through my soul. I wanted to feel that peace that passes all understanding. And, of course, I wanted it instantly. However, "instant" was not what God had in mind.

As I searched God's Word for help, this verse popped out. "And ye shall seek Me and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart." OK. So, I set out to find Him again, knowing this would take a determined effort on my part. I started by writing down all my sins, even though I felt no brokenness at the time. I confessed them one by one out of obedience as God instructed me in His Word. By an act of my will, I repented, or turned, from each sin. Then, I accepted His forgiveness and cleansing, based on His Word, not on my feelings.

For two days, I spent much time in the Bible and praying, even though I felt empty. I was determined to get God's presence again. And then, suddenly, God brought me back to the cross. He broke my heart over my sins and I again surrendered everything to Him. The moment I held up the white flag of surrender, the battle was over. Peace and joy flooded my soul. My detour ended at the foot of the cross.

How about you, dear one? Have you taken a detour? Do you find yourself far away from God? Are you trying rather than trusting? Are you fretting rather than resting? Are you saying prayers rather than praying? Are you ready to come back to your Father? He hasn't moved! You're the one who took the detour!

..........Surprise! As you know, Genora recently moved in with Ray and Bonnie Bull, got Mimi in school, got a job, and is doing great. Ray and Bonnie have a son about Genora's age. The minute he saw her, he said he fell in love with her. And, he has asked her to marry him....and she accepted. God is honoring her faithfulness. She told us that, ever since she left the P.H., she has continued to get up at 5 every morning and spend time alone with the Lord. That's the key to the Christian life....time spent with the Lord! He says if we seek Him and His kingdom first, everything else will be added. Amen!

As you read this, an amazing thing is happening that you're unaware of. It goes on day and night without you even thinking about it. Your blood is flowing through your body in its never-ending, non-stop journey. The Bible tells us that "the life of the flesh is in the blood," as it continuously brings life-giving oxygen and food to all parts of your body. And, it also removes the deadly toxins that build up that would kill you. It brings life and removes death!

Well, dear ones, the church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a body, too. And the life of the church is also in the blood...the blood of Jesus. His blood brings life and nourishment from God to every part of the body and it removes the deadly toxins of sin, carrying them as far as the east is from the west. It brings life and removes death!

The blood of Jesus does something else, too. It provides warmth. It's a cold, sinful, messed up world out there. It's a waste, howling wilderness. But, when you get in the presence of other believers, your soul begins to warm up. That's why we, as believers, need to hudde together. We need to keep our spiritual body temperature stable.

Thank God for the blood! The life of the flesh is in the physical blood. The life of the soul is in the blood of Jesus. Have you received Jesus as your Savior? Have you been washed in the blood of the Lamb? Do you love to huddle with fellow believers to keep your soul warm? You will never make it alone. Always remember: huddling keeps you warm!

...........Lisa and I will be meeting with Stephanie Summers this morning to discuss revamping the Christian Women's Center in Griffin. Diane will be going with us. It would be so awesome if Diane could become a part of it and help the ladies who come into the shelter, since Diane was homeless for 12 years and has stayed in the C.W.C. several times.

..........Last Saturday, we had several ladies from Glen Haven Baptist Church to come and spend some time at the P.H. We love these ladies I have personally known Sandy Payton for many years. She is on staff at Glen Haven and is one of the most wonderful, anointed Christian women I have ever met. I love her dearly. She brings out a group to the P.H. a couple of times a year. We have also been to Glen Haven several times for testimonies, etc. This church has been a blessing to us.

..........This next Sunday, we will have the Sunday morning service at Cedar Rock Church in Jackson. They have been faithful supporters of the P.H. for about 5 years. Pastor Jim Myers is an awesome, fireball preacher. He has been a vital part in the life changes that we see in the girls at the P.H. We love him and all the wonderful folks at Cedar Rock. They are just family to us. We are excited about Sunday.

No more fingers! No more feet. No more eyes! He will never get any more of these! When a baby is born into this physical world, he is born with everything he will ever need to live in the physical realm. And, even though he has everything he will need, he has no knowledge of these things at birth. He has no clue what he got when he stepped out of the darkness of the womb into the brightness of the physical realm. He has to grow in knowledge of all he has and how to use what he has been given at birth.

Likewise, at one's spiritual birth, when he is born into the spiritual realm, he is born with everything he will ever need to live in his new spiritual world. However, like a physical baby, he has no knowledge of these things he got at birth. He has no clue what he got when he stepped out of the spiritual darkness into the light of Christ. He has to grow in knowledge of all he has and how to use what he was given when he was born again.

II Peter 1:3 says, "His Divine power has given us everything we need for life and Godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these, He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the Divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."

Friend, as Christians, we have already been given everything we'll need for life and Godliness...but it comes through the knowledge of Him. Quit asking for so much stuff and start learning what you already have and how to use it. I used to ask God over and over for love and compassion for people, until I realized one day that I already had that. I have God living inside me. What more love could I want? All I had to do was to wake up to what I had and allow Him to live His life out through me! "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, bur Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now life in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Hallelujah!

..........Diane and Mary Edith will both graduate tonight. Mary Edith will be staying for second phase and will be looking for a job. She is a Registered Nurse, but doesn't know if she will go back into that field or not. Diane will also be looking for a job. There is a possibility of something for her that we will find out more about tomorrow.

..........Christina will begin learning photography with Errol and Stefani. She will be coming to my house every day, along with Stef, Mel, and Missy. The photography studio is in our basement. We are excited to have Christina coming on board with the P.H. ministry. She is very creative and has a lot to offer the ministry.

..........We have something really big to be praying about. Pam Jenkins started Jabbok Ministries and has written and published 7 awesome Bible studies. She is also a women's conference speaker. The Lord has laid on her heart to have a "Relentless Conference" on Nov. 5 and 6 and give all proceeds to the P.H. On Friday night, we will have praise and worship and on Saturday, we will have speakers. The P.H. will be giving tesimonies. We plan to have an awesome, graphic video (not just a DVD but a live re-enactment) that will show the actual lives and happenings of the girls...Stefani putting on pain patches, taking pills, drinking and Josh coming in and finding her passed out. It is going to be very life-changing! We are asking God to wake up Christians through this conference. We will give more details later.

"A crutch! Just for weak people! That's all religion is! How could anyone believe in all this fairy tale stuff anyway? How can they believe in a God they cannot see and cannot hear. That makes absolutely no sense! Hey, it's not for me. I'm not that weak-minded and naive."

Ever heard anyone say something like this? Well, it may sound tough, but in actuality, it shows ignorance. In the first place, one better not believe solely in what he can see. The human eye is designed to take in only about 18 inches of light. A person can be in a room with 20 feet of light from the floor to the ceiling, yet the opening in his eyes is programmed to take in only 18 inches. However, many animals have eyes that are designed with bigger pupils and can take in more light, thus enabling them to see things in the darkness that humans cannot see. And, besides that, there is an invisible world all around us that neither we nor animals can see....things that can only be seen with a microscope. So...better not say, "I'll have to see it to believe it."

In the second place, one better not believe solely in what he can hear. The human ear is designed to hear only 9 octaves. A bullfrog croaks below the last note on the scale a human ear can pick up....but, when the bullfrog is trying to sing tenor, that's when a person can hear him. A cricket chirps above the highest note on the scale that the human ear can pick up...but, when the cricket is chirping bass, that's when a person can hear him. And then, there are all the radio and TV waves around that we cannot hear unless we have a receiver.

So, anyone who says they believe only what they can see or hear is rather foolish. God is a Spirit. The human senses are equipped only for the physical realm; therefore, they cannot see or hear God. He must be seen and heard through the spiritual senses, which are activated only at spiritual birth and receive information in the spiritual realm.

Two worlds! We all live in two worlds: the physical world around us and the world of our thoughts. Cain and Abel lived in the same world physically, but they certainly didn't live in the same world of thoughts. Judas Iscariot and the apostle John lived in the same world physically but not in the same world of thoughts. King Saul and David lived in the same physical world but not in the same mental world.

In today's world, we have people like Joni Tada Erickson, who has been a paraplegic for years; yet has done great things with her life. We have people like David Ring who, despite cerebral palsy, is a powerful preacher of the gospel. We have people like Vujicic, born in Australia with no arms and no legs, who is a mighty preacher and is impacting thousands with his powerful message of hope.

Therefore, we can conclude that the circumstances around us, the physical world, is not what makes us. It's the world of our thoughts....what we think about our circumstances that determine what kind of people we will be and what we will do with our lives. The Bible says, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."

Dear one, what is your world of thoughts like? Are they "me" centered or Christ-centered? Are they grubbing around in the mire of self pity or are they focused on making a difference in the lives of others? Today, you have a choice! You can place your thoughts wherever you choose them to be. So, get up and set your affections on things above...not on things on the earth! It's said that 10% of life is circumstances; 90% is what you do with those circumstances!

..........We had two ladies from Habersham County to come Tuesday. They are wanting to start something similar to the P.H. in their area. Next Tuesday, I am going to talk with Stephanie Summers, the wife of the Pastor of Carver Road Baptist Church in Griffin. She is taking over the Christian Women's Center and wants to revamp it. The Summers have been loyal supporters of the P.H. and Stephanie wants to do many things at the CWC like we do at the P.H. We have also had some other ministries, like Shining Light in McDonough, to come out and see what we do and institute many of the same things in their programs. I've had people tell me that they believed the Lord would use our program as a model program for others. What an honor that would be! We need your prayers as we seek to help others start programs to help ladies in distress.

Relentless! Determined! And for what? We cannot figure it out! A beautiful redbird comes to the double doors of our master bedroom every single day and flies into the glass over and over again. Sometimes, he perches on the top glass that is over the doors and pecks and pecks. You can hear him even downstairs. We have no idea why he does this every day.

Well, as foolish as this tirade is for the redbird, we are not any better off. We, too, do the same things day after day, week after week, year after year. I've heard that insanity is doing the same thing in the same way expecting different results. Isn't that what we often do with life? We continue down the same path, doing the same things we've always done, yet expecting somehow that things will be different this time.

Dear friend, if you're caught up in this redbird pecking mentality, why not break out and do something entirely different? If you've been wandering in the wilderness of Christianity, it's time to kick off your shoes of complacency and go on into the promised land. Quit drinking from the world's wells and start drinking from the Fountain of Living Water. Quit eating slop in the hogpen of life and start feasting from the Master's table. Leave the glass alone.....you wouldn't even want to be inside there if you ever got in! You'd lose your freedom.

..........The Lord is really blessing the Potter's House. Thanks to all of you, God is amply meeting all our needs. Last week, our expenses came to around $3500. That included food, the note on the Honda Civic, gas for the vehicles, new rotors and brakes for one of our vehicles, a tank of propane, and some other things. That was above and beyond the ordinary week, but God had already sent in the money to pay for everything. We thank Him for using you to help us meet all the needs of 23 ladies. Financially, we are doing good and we are so, so grateful for that!

..........Some people don't realize the food it takes to feed us. But, look at it this way. With 23 ladies, it takes 46 slices of bread for just one sandwich apiece. It takes 23 pieces of meat for one meal. And, if each lady eats 3 meals a day, that is 69 meals a day. So, we thank all of you who help us with food. We still buy a lot, but not near as much as we would have to buy if it weren't for you all. God bless you all who donate money, food, time, resources, clothes, etc. We love you all!

Different sizes. Different shapes. Different colors. It could be rickety and shabby. It could be big and freshly painted. But, regardless of its appearance, it just stands in one place day after day. One would think it is not very important. But ask anybody and they'll tell you otherwise. No one would want to do without their mailbox.

The mailbox has one purpose...to carry messages to people all over the world. It is part of a much greater system, but it is a vital part of that system, no matter how small it is. However, to be effective, it cannot be set up just anywhere. It couldn't be out in a field somewhere, disconnected from its system. If it were, it would be utterly useless. It could never receive or transmit the stream of human communications for which it is made.

Likewise, we Christians are God's little mailboxes. Regardless of how tall or short, fat or skinny, educated or uneducatd we are, we still have one major purpose...to receive and transmit the stream of Divine comunication between heaven and earth. We are part of a much greater system, but we are a vital part of that system. And, like a regular mailbox, we cannot be disconnected from our Source, which is the Lord Jesus Christ, or we could no longer receive or transmit.

Friend, if you are saved, you are God's little mailbox. You might be a little ole' unpainted, rusty, small mailbox, but you can nevertheless still carry heavenly mail just the same as a pretty, nicely finished, sturdy one. So, get your eyes off the other mailboxes and just do your job! The Master Postman has some heavenly mail that He wants to deliver to earth....and He wants to deliver it through you!

..........Lisa got to talk at length with her brother that she just found after 26 years of no communication whatsoever. They both agree that it is God that has brought his about. One day, we will tell the story of how this came about. It is too long to put here.....it is through a miracle of God that it happened.

..........Genora and Mimi are doing great at Ray and Bonnie's. It is a great match. Genora just found out that she has been hired at Captain D's in Stockbridge and starts work today. We miss her, but she is in great hands. She goes to church with Ray and Bonnie at Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church. Those are the ladies that have been involved with us for 5 years...they are so precious to us. They are some of the sweetest, most precious Christian ladies you could ever meet.

He wondered! God wondered! Did you know there was a time when God wondered? He didn't wonder that there were no more preachers in the land. He didn't wonder that there were so many lost people. He didn't wonder that there was a shortage of His Word. He didn't wonder that the world was in such a mess. Instead, God wondered that there was no intercessor. "And He saw that there was no man and wondered that there was no intercessor." Isaiah 59:16 (KJV)

Perhaps, as God is looking down at America today, He may be again wondering. He has blessed us more than any nation that has ever existed; yet, we have put Him out of our schools, government, and even most homes. Our country is in a big mess. But, where are the intercessors? Where are the people who are fasting and praying and on their faces before God, interceding for our country to return to Him?

It has been said, "The secret of all failure is our failure in secret prayer." Someone else has said, "Our poverty in prayer is the seedbed of all our failure." The unknown author of "The Kneeling Christian" wrote, "...there is nothing the devil dreads so much as prayer. His great concern is to keep us from praying. He loves to see us up to our eyes in work, provided we do not pray. He does not fear because we are eager and earnest Bible students, provided we are little in prayer. Satan laughs at our toiling, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray. Let us never forget that the greatest thing we can do for God or for man is to pray. For we can accomplish far more by our prayers than by our work. Prayer is omnipotent; it can do anything that God can do. When we pray, God works. Prayer is the greatest power on earth. It moves the hand that moves the world."

..........The ladies from Rock Springs are coming tonight. Everyone is invited, even if you don't go to Rock Springs. We are meeting at 6, but you can come any time. We eat first, so it is usually around 7 when we get started with our spiritual time together. We are praying that God will show up mightly and that we will all get a brand new touch from Him!

..........Our new lady, Brenda, rededicated her life to Christ yesterday in church. Also, Carrie's husband rededicated his life to Christ and Jennifer P's nephew rededicated his life to Christ. We thank God that He continues to move in the families of our girls.

..........If you cannot open the newsletter, let me know. I am putting the pictures from the newsletter on a Microsoft Word document, so I can print them off. We are making a book, called "Memories from 2010." I laminate the pictures and put them in this book. So, I could easily send them to you by the Microsoft Word document if you cannot get them though the newsletter.

.....I am a good person. .....I keep the Ten Commandments .....My parents were married. .....I do all the things that married people do. .....I do everything for my spouse that I should do. .....I have joined a league of married folks. .....I've attended lots of weddings. .....I got rice showered on me at a wedding once. .....I've given many gifts to wedding charities. .....I just feel married.

Obviously, none of the above are any indication of marriage. A person would be foolish to use any of these statements as proof of his marriage. Marriage occurs when two people make a total commitment of their lives to one another for life. They agree to forsake all other lovers and become united as one; to love and cherish each other through thick and thin. Marriage is a solemn vow of giving oneself to another.

Likewise. salvation is a total commitment, a solemn vow, a giving of oneself completely to God. Salvation is not based on being good, keeping the Ten Commanments, having Christian parents, doing the things believers do, doing everything for the Lord that we should do, joining a church, attending church regularly, getting baptized, giving gifts to charities, or feeling saved.

Salvation occurs when two people make a total commitment of their lives to one another. The Lord Jesus Christ has already offered Himself. He is the Bridegroom. Then, when we we agree to become united with Him, to turn our lives over to Him, to be married to Him for eternity, to surrender our lives to Him, to forsake all other lovers, then salvation occurs!

..........Genora and Mimi are doing good. Mimi has come home every day with smiley faces from school. She is so happy to be with her mom. Genora says Mimi has the most awesome look on her face every day when she steps off that bus and sees her mom's face. Thank God for reuniting families!

..........Missy is doing an awesome job putting the newsletter together three times a week. She is getting better and better. I am so proud of her for the great job she is doing. I hope all of you are able to open it. One clue: it won't always open on the first try. The video won't always open either. I think a lot of it depends on how many people are using the internet. Sometimes, when I can't open it, I will try again later. Sometimes, I have to make two or three tries. Let us know if you continue to experience problems.

Whirling! Spinning! Solving problems. That's your mind, especially when you get ready to pray. You try to stop the troubled waters long enough to say your prayers. Somehow, you manage to repeat words you've said so many times that they are just rote by now. And, after bringing the same, twenty year old shopping list to the Lord, you say your final "Amen," feeling somewhat better for having discharged your duty for the day.

Without realizing it, you have just passed up one of the most important, the most glorious, the most exciting, the most awesome thing in your whole day....spending time alone with God. You have been too busy all day and then too tired at night to have an audience with the King of the universe. For you see, the difference between "saying a prayer" and "praying" is the difference between having an audience with your walls and an audience with the Almighty Lord of Glory!

No wonder your prayers aren't getting answered. Walls cannot answer prayers! Oh, dear one, prayer is far more than bringing your shopping list to God. It's much more than telling God what you want. It's allowing God to tell you what He wants! It's being someone that He can share His great heart with, someone who wants to hear what blesses, burdens, grieves, and thrills Him. It's being someone He can trust, someone with no blocks or barriers or hindrances in their spiritual ears. It's someone who trusts Him, who is completely open, honest and bare before him. It's someone who wants to be His friend, someone who has time for Him, who loves to be with Him, who desires Him more than anyone or anything else in the world. It's someone who has fully surrendered his whole heart and life to Him.

..........I am really excited. I've had several people wanting copies of my book, "Even Weeds Have Flowers." I ordered 2000 copies and we have been out of copies for a while. I haven't been able to get it reprinted, because it was going to cost me between $4000 and $5000. But, there's good news. I have been in contact with someone from www.Amazon.com and they are going to print the book. A team will be working with me to redo the book and make it look more professional for only $650. It will then be placed on www.Amazon.com for sale and I will get 60% off every book that's sold. All proceeds will go directly to the Potter's House. I will let you know when the book is ready. You can either order it online from Amazon or you can get it from me. I can order as many copies as I want when I want.

We pray for rain, but leave our umbrellas at home. We pray for our lost loved ones to be saved, but never listen for the phone to ring with the news of their salvation. We pray for healing, all the while making preparations to go to the doctor. We pray for all kinds of situations and all kinds of needs; yet we really don't believe God is going to answer.

Why do we pray? What's the use if we aren't going to believe? What good will it do to pray a prayer that isn't backed up by belief? Reckon how God feels when we come to Him with our noodle prayers....no backbone, no persistence, no passion, no zeal, no fire, no heart? We tell the world that have an Almighty, all powerful, supernatural God; yet, we pray our wimpy little prayerettes, just barely clinging onto a slight possibility that He might answer. From what the world sees and hears of God in our lives, they aren't really too interested in this God that we tell them about. He looks just like the god they're already serving.

Perhaps we've gotten too big for our own britches! We've become so spiritually educated that we have lost that childlikeness we once had. We try to figure everything out! We read the OT, thinking that it was just for the Jews. We read the NT, thinking that it was written to a certain group of people at a specific time. We study the Hebrew and Greek so that we'll know more closely what everything means. We debate and rationalize and contextualize until we have a passage pretty well down to a science.

Oh, but somewhere along the line, we lose something. We forget that a little child just simply believes. He trusts. He accepts. He doesn't have to figure everything out. There's nothing wrong with learning and gaining more knowledge, but there is something wrong with losing the childlike faith that God intends us to have! Perhaps it's time we get down off our educated high horses and get back to believing God again!

..........Lisa and I had a TV interview yesterday in LaGrange with Diane Colson. Melody and Missy went with us and we all had a great time. Jack and Diane took us out to eat afterwards. We have fallen in love with them and I think the feeling is mutual. Diane wants us to come about 3 times a year to be on her show. We thank God for meeting precious new friends like Diane and Jack. We are praying that God will touch many lives through us, as people watch the show.

..........Monday afternoon, 6 of the ladies from "Hair Smithsonian" in McDonough came out to cut and style hair and do makeup for our ladies. We had the best time with them. They stayed all afternoon and stayed on as Diana came at 6 and brought some more ladies with her. We ate, Dara did two individual interpretive dances, and Dara and Missy did an interpretive dance together. Some of our ladies gave their testimonies. It was very touching. It was a great afternoon and night.

Babe Ruth! You've heard of him! His name is synonomous with baseball. With his great success and with his name being in the Baseball Hall of Fame, you would think he would feel just a little superior, just a cut above the average person. But, that's not what Babe Ruth thought. In fact, his idea of greatness was what he saw in a humble preacher that he knew and loved. He said this about this Godly preacher, "I've signed my name on hundreds of baseballs. He wrote his on human hearts."

Probably no one on earth today would recognize the name of this preacher. He didn't go down as an all-time great here on earth. He didn't achieve worldly fame or success. Oh, but he achieved something far, far greater than that! He went down in Heaven's Hall of Fame, where his name will be remembered throughout all eternity. Perhaps he is recorded there in heaven as "the man who wrote his name on human hearts."

Dear one, most of us will never make it into any Hall of Fame here on earth. But, we can all go down in Heaven's Hall of Fame. We can decide to be servants of Christ, ministering to others rather than being ministered to. We can visit the sick, the afflicted, the widows, the fatherless, and those in prison. We can feed the hungry, clothe the naked, help provide for the homeless, and care for the dying. We can write notes and make phone calls to encourage the disheartened. We can love the unlovable and we can bring many to Christ.

..........Christina just found out this weekend that her ex-husband and his wife got permanent custody of her three children and she has no rights whatsoever to them...no visitation, no phone calls, no rights. They had advertised in the paper about the court date and Christina did not know about it. The lawyer who offered to take her case pro bono started checking into her situation and found out that the court date just happened last week and, accordingto the courts, the decision is irreversible. Please pray for Christina. She is totally depending on the Lord. She will remain with the P.H. as part of our ministry team.

I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable. If my God needs me, I am there. I am a soldier. I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up, or pepped up. I am a soldier. I am not a wimp. I am in place saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His Kingdom.

No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts. I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to. I am committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside. I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.

When Jesus called me into this Army, I had nothing. So, if I end up with nothing, I will still come out even. I will win. My God will supply all my needs. I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Devils cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me. Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me. Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me. Governments cannot silence me and hell cannot handle me!

Delta pilot, how are you going to fly this big bird? By your feelings? "I feel like we're at the proper height now to level off." "I feel like we're going in the right direction." "I feel like it's time to lower the landing gear." "I feel like the runway is there, even though it's so foggy I cannot see it." " I feel like..."

Boy, I wouldn't want to get on a plane with a pilot like that! I'd want a pilot who flies by facts. I'd want one who spent countless hours studying manuals and learning everything about airplanes. I'd want a pilot who had been thoroughly trained in all aspects of the plane they will be flying. I would want one who knows every instrument and gauge inside and out. I'd want one who would fly by the facts, the data, the instruments, the gauges, etc. Their feelings wouldn't count when it comes to flying a plane.

Well, dear one, perhaps you have been running your life by your feelings. "I feel like I'm going in the right direction." "I don't feel like reading my Bible or praying much...I just don't have time." "I feel like I can lower my standards; after all, everybody is doing it and they're getting by just fine." "I feel like the Lord will bless me; He understands how hard it is nowadays and He will forgive and overlook the sin I'm involved in." "I feel....."

Christian pilot, you cannot run your life by feelings any more than a pilot can fly a plane by them. It won't work! You will eventually crash! You'd better get out the manual, God's Holy Word, and spend much time in learning the directions given by your Creator for running a life. It will tell you everything you need to know and will guide you safely to the eternal shores. Its gauges never fail. Its instruments never need repair. Its data is perfect.

..........Check out the newsletter today for Mary Edith's testimony. Two of you have told me you have trouble getting the video. If any of you are having trouble, e-mail Missy. She cannot open the video without doing a couple of things and she can tell you what she does. Her e-mail is mmcguire35@gmail.com. We want all of you to be able to open the videos. The one of Lisa last Friday was so, so, so powerful. This one today is powerful. We are planning lots of exciting videos in the future....with family members, graduates, etc.

Consider! All striped watermelons have 13 stripes. Every ear of corn has an even number of rows. A hummingbird flaps his wings at the rate of 262 times per second. Beans climb up and grow to the right. Peas climb up and grow to the left. Hurricanes all turn clockwise; typhoons turn counter-clockwise.

Consider! At the top of every egg, there is a small empty space. This little space contains just enough oxygen so that, when a baby chick gets ready to come out of its shell, it can stick its little beak into that space, get enough air to peck open the shell, and the rest is history.

Consider! Since God has created everything in the universe in such perfect order, don't you think He could do a much better job in ordering your life than you could? Don't you think you can trust a God like that? If so, let's just start off 2010 believing and trusting Him with all our hearts! It's high time we start living a life of faith that will show the world around us who our God really is!

..........Diane was homeless for 12 years before coming to the P.H. She hasn't had a relationship with her son in the last 14 years. She didn't even know where he was. Recently, we found out where he is and she has started corresponding with him. Yesterday, she received two pictures of him. On the back of one of them, he called her "Mom" and told her he loves her. She is beside herself with joy over this!

..........This group of girls are really getting good in their knowledge of the Bible. They even astound me many times. They spend much time in the Word and it shows! I thank God for what He is doing in all their lives! God has blessed us with ladies that are really serious about Him and about a completely different life than they have ever had.

Let me just share my heart with you this morning. I am really burdened for my country, as I know you probably are, too. We have left our first love. We have tried to eliminate God from our country. We have asked Him to get out of our schools, out of our government, out of our courts, and, in many cases, out of our churches and homes. And, our God, being the gracious gentleman that He is, has done exactly what we have asked Him to do and we are in a big mess!

We need, as never before, to be on our knees. The only hope for America is Jesus! We need a revival to shake this land. This morning, the Lord put this verse from Exodus 40:12, 13 on my heart. "Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve Me as priest."

Well, we are the priests in our day, according to I Peter 2:4-5 and 2: 9-10. We need to be washed thoroughly from our iniquities and cleansed from our sin. Then, we are robed with the righteousness of Christ. We are anointed and consecrated to be priests, to offer up spiritual sacrifices to God in our day. It is a high and holy honor to be chosen. We need to take it seriously and start believing and obeying God. We need to call America back to God! We need to fast and pray, weep before the altar, and stay before God until He answers. Let's get serious about our royal priesthood. We are the only ones who get into God's presence and intercede before His holy throne!

..........Christina had a great surprise yesterday. A lawyer called her out of the blue and offered to help her try to get her children back...pro bono. She is so excited. It is very expensive to hire a lawyer to help in the legal matters involving children, so this is such a great praise to God.

The early church was electrifying; he church today is electronic. The church fresh from the upper room invaded the world; now the church in the supper room is invaded by the world. The New Testament church did not depend on a moral majority, but rather on the holy minority. The church right now has more fashion than passion, is more pathetic than prophetic, is more superficial than supernatural.

The early church was a suffering church; today we have a sufficient church. Events in the Spirit-controlled church were amazing; in this day the church is often just amusing. The early church was identified with persecutions, prisons, and poverty; today many of us are identified with prosperity, popularity, and personalities." Leonard Ravenhill

We desperately, urgently need revival in our land! "Revivals are born in prayer. When Wesley prayed, England was revived; when Knox prayed, Scotland was refreshed; when the Sunday School teachers at Tanntybrook prayed, 11 thousand young people were added to the church in a year. Whole nights of prayer have always been succeeded by whole days of soul-winning.' J. Wilbur Chapman

"All true revivals have been born in prayer. When God's people become so concerned about the state of religion that they lie on their faces day and night in earnest supplication, the blessing will be sure to fall. If we will do our part, God will do His. Little prayer is the characteristic of a backslidden age and of a backslidden church. Whenever there is little praying in the pulpit or in the pew, spiritual bankruptcy is imminent and inevitable. Around us is a world lost in sin; above us is a God willing and able to save. It is our duty to build the bridge that links heaven and earth, and prayer is the mighty instrument that does the work." E.M. Bounds

..........Tomorrow, on the newsletter, we will have our first video. It is only about 20 seconds. The quality is not very good yet, since this is our first one. We will continue to improve on the videos. We want them to be first class. We want you to see and hear the girls personally tell what the Lord is doing in their lives. We are excited about doing the videos. We are going to try and do a video every Monday and every Friday.

..........We are excited about tomorrow...having the funeral service for all the things we want to bury from the past. We want to start off the new year, believing God for great and mighty things. We want to put the past behind and go blazing into 2010, with a passion and fervency for God as never before. Last night, Brother Jin Myers preached a powerful sermon from Matthew 18: 19-21. So, this year at the P.H., we want to do as Jesus said, "if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, "Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Notice it doesn't say impossible for God; it says you." We're claiming that in 2010.

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; keep your foot from evil." Proverbs 4:23-27.

We should guard, or protect, our hearts from anything harmful coming in or going out. A heart is the wellspring (the source of water for a well; or an inexhaustible source of supply). We don't want it to get polluted. We need to go into 2010 with clean lips...let's make sure that only fresh water comes from the fountain of our lips. We need to fix our gaze (not our glance) on the goal, which is the Lord Jesus Christ and not focus on our circumstances or on others. We need to walk on level paths, paths that our Lord has laid out before us, paths that won't bog us down or harm us. We need to walk that straight and narrow path and not go to the left or to the right of it.

..........We are spending this week searching our hearts. We are all writing down things that we want to leave behind as we go into the next year. Then, on Friday, we are going to have a funeral. We are going to go out into the yard and bury all those things we have written down and we are starting off 2010 new and fresh.

..........We thank all of you for making 2009 the best year the Potter's House has ever had. You all have gone above and beyond anything we could ever ask or think. We pray that God will richly bless you in the coming year! We pray together every day at 1:00......and we hold each of you up when we receive prayer requests from you. Please don't hesitate to let us know what to pray for, because we do take it seriously. E-mail us at phw@bellsouth.net with any prayer requests that you have!

It's the common cold of the spiritual life. Most everybody comes down with it some time or other in his spiritual walk. And, being quite contagious, it can spread rapidly, especially if one hangs around those that are infected with it. Generally, it starts out subtly, almost unnoticeably, but worsens progressively if untreated. It isn't usually fatal, but it certainly drains the spiritual life. It's called rut-itis!

Friend, have you come down with rut-itis this year? Has reading your Bible, praying, and going to church become so mundane that you just go through the motions mechanically? Have you somewhere along the way lost your passion for Christ, your ardent devotion, your overwhelming joy, your enthusiasm and zeal, and your effectiveness for the Lord?

If so, why don't you seek a cure for 2010? Three things are needed to cure rut-itis........a diagnosis, a desire, and a decision. First is the diagnosis. You need to evaluate your Christian walk in 2009. How does it compare with your desire and zeal when you first got saved. Have you left your first love? Second, you must have a desire to be cured of rut-itis. You must want, with all your heart, to be on fire for God again and to live that victorious, overwhelming, abundant Christian life. And third, you must make a decision. You must take the medicine prescribed by the Great Physician....a "will" pill. Repent of your coldness to the Lord, and by a sheer act of your will, step out on the Word of God. Begin to do what God's Word says, regardless of how you feel or what others think. Turn fact into act. Just get up and start living out what you already know!

..........We will be sending the newsletter only 3 days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) rather than 4, because it is pretty time consuming to get it ready. That will give Missy a day in between each one. I will continue to send the daily devotional 4 days a week.

..........All the girls are back. They all had a great time with their families over the holidays. They had some awesome things to happen while they were gone. They were excited, because, with all the gift cards they got for Christmas, they were able to use all their money to buy presents for their families.....which most of them had not been able to do for years.

He chopped down all the thorns and thistles! He removed all the big rocks! He was preparing the way! That's what a good shepherd does....he prepares the way for the sheep, as he guides them to the high places to new, fresh pastureland. And all that the little sheep have to do is follow. If they walk behind the shepherd, staying in the path that he has cleared for them, their journey is so much easier. But, if they veer to the left or to the right, they'll get stuck in thorn bushes and potholes and will have a much more frustrating and tedious journey!

We could certainly take some lessons from the sheep. We, too, have a Shepherd that has prepared the Way for us. He has gone before us and made the crooked places straight. He simply wants to take us to higher ground, to rich spiritual pastureland. He wants us to breathe celestial air, to drink from the Brook that never runs dry, to feast on food that no one knows.

And, like the sheep, all we have to do is follow, to stay in the path He has cleared for us, and not veer to the right or to the left. However, we seem to have a big problem with that little word, "follow." We think we can clear our own path. We think we can do it our way. We think we can follow afar off, making sure He is in sight, but yet still keeping one foot in the pasture we just got out of.

And, guess what? We stray off the straight and narrow path and find ourselves tangled up in the thorn bushes of life. We get bruised and battered from falling in the potholes of sin and from tripping over the big rocks of discouragement and depression. We get stuck in the mire of self and finally just lose sight of the path.

Today is a good day to get back on the straight and narrow path. Let's decide in 2010 to follow the Shepherd with all our hearts. He's already gone before us into the new year. He has already cleared the way. He has already removed the hindrances. So....come on. Let's follow Him!

..........Diana Cowan came over last night and brought several new people that have never been to the P.H. Barry and Andy from "Altaration" came and sang for us. Dara performed two of her most powerful dances. The girls shared brief testimonies. We had pizza; we sang and shared and cried and had a wonderful time. Thank you, Diana, for your faithfulness to us through all these years!

..........We had a visit yesterday from one of my friends from years ago, Debby Sheets and her daughter, Katrina. I haven't seen Debby in about 22 years. It was great being with them and catching up on years gone by. Thank God for friends who are still there after so many years. Katrina wants to come back and even spend the night. We will be looking forward to that!

..........Jan Roberts came yesterday and brought Gloria, our new 81 year old friend. Gloria brought gifts for all the girls. She put them on their beds while we were having group so it would be a surprise to them when they went to their rooms. We love Jan and Gloria and all the Legacy Group who have made such a difference in all our lives!

..........IMPORTANT! On Constant Contact, you can right click on any single picture and copy it and paste it on Microsoft Word or on another program on your computer. Or, you can right click and save it under your pictures. Or you can right click and print any picture on it. Also, we will be starting short video clips soon!

The greatest gift ever given was not given out of obligation, peer pressure, or tradition. It was not given out of a desire for recognition, reward, approval, or reimbursement. Oh, no. The greatest gift ever given was given out of absolute, unconditional, unexplainable love.

God gave us such a gift. He gave Himself! He wrapped His gift in blood-stained robes, with a crown of thorns on top. Oh, there's never been another gift like this one. This gift doesn't bring just temporary pleasure...this gift lasts forever. Have you ever received this gift? If not, today would be a great day to do so. God gave the greatest gift, but it will never be yours until you receive it.

..........The ladies from Rock Springs came to the P.H. last night. We had a great time. We ate some delicious food, which Christina and Kristy worked on all day. They did an outstanding job. Dara did a couple of dances and gave each of the girls a gift. They were so excited. They all got $85 gift cards to Kohl's. We are going shopping tomorrow for them to use their gift cards to Wal-Mart, Target, and Kohl's to buy presents for their families. Thank all of you or loving the girls and being so good to them. We love you all!

..........Wow! Wow! Wow! We had a most wonderful surprise. Read this letter written to us. "On behalf of the sisters of Sigma Alpha Omega, we would like to present the beautiful ladies of the Potter's House with this check for $3,000. Our girls were deeply touched by the pictures and testimonies on your website and voted to present our semester's tithe to this ministry. Sigma Alpha Omega is the only Christian sorority on UGA's campus. Our sisterhood prides itself on service, excellence and love throuh life in Christ, all of which we hope to bless this ministry with. From our sisterhood to yours, The sisters of Sigma Alpha Omega." Wow....why can't things like this make the news instead of all the killing, stealing, lying, etc.?

..........The Lord continues to bless the P.H. We received another check for $3000 plus some other monies from different individuals. Perhaps He is preparing us for another house. It won't be long before we will need one. We are just waiting on Him for directions.

There was silence! God was getting ready to go to earth! Wide-eyed with awe, the angels watched as the Holy One laid aside all His royal garments. They gasped as He left the splendors and beauty and comfort of His heavenly home to go to one little seemingly insignificant ball in the universe.

As they peered over the bannisters of heaven, the angels expected their Mighty King to be heralded by a royal fanfare of golden trumpets.....but instead, He was greeted with the lowing of cattle and the bleating of sheep. They expected the Most High One to be adorned with royal, majestic robes, fashioned from the most elegant and exquisite material on earth.....but instead He was wrapped in swaddling clothes. The expected the red carpet to be rolled out for the entrance of the Highest Dignitary in the universe.....but instead, there was a bed of smelly straw, dotted with the doppings of nearby animals to greet Him. They expected a palace of indescribable beauty to be provided for the King of kings and Lord of lords.....but instead, there was no room for Him anywhere except in a lowly stable.

Slightly over 2000 years have passed and things haven't changed much. They didn't want Him then.....and they still don't want Him now. They didn't recognize His presence then.....and they still don't recognize it now. They had no room for Him then.....and they still have no room for Him now.

What about you this Christmas, dear one? Are you heralding His birth with the high praises from your lips? Are you offering Him your body as a holy dwelling place? Are you rolling out the red carpet of love and adoration for Him? Once again, its Christmas. They expected.....but instead. Will this year be just another rerun?

Beware! Be very careful, Christian! Just because someone claims to be of God doesn't mean that he is! In II Chronicles 18, we see two prophets, who both claimed to know God, but who had entirely different messages. Zedekiah prophesied victory and peace, proclaiming that everything was fine, even though Ahab was neck deep in idolatry. Zedekiah was a health and wealth preacher.

Micaiah, on the other hand, prophesied the death of Ahab, the king. Many thought Micaiah to be narrow minded and pessimistic...a doom and gloom preacher. Zedekiah even mocked Micaiah by slapping him in the face. However, Micaiah was the true prophet, telling the truth rather than what the king wanted to hear. Micaiah's message was the one that came to pass. The Bible says the test of a true prophet of God is that ALL his prophecies come true. There was a "lying spirit in the mouth of all the (other) prophets," including Zedekiah.

Today, just turn on the TV and you can see Zedekiah Christians by the handfuls. The Micaiah ones are said to be old fashioned and out of touch with our society. They're scarcer than hen's teeth. Oh, for some holy men of God who will stand up today and preach the Word of God without compromise, who will call America back to her knees, who will call sin for exactly what it is, who have a volcano in their souls over the state of our world.

God didn't tell us to take up our bed of health and prosperity and follow Him. He said to take up our cross daily and follow Him. And the cross means only one thing---death. Death to the flesh! Stick to the old rugged cross, dear one. Don't get sidetracked! Forsake the Zedekiah Christians and find some Micaiah ones and join them in their desperate cries for God to send revival to our sin-soaked land!

Today's the day. We are starting Constant Contact. In a little while, you will receive the first one. It will say From: "Potter's House For Women;" Subject: "News from Potter's House for Women." You will have to click to see the pictures. Do not be afraid to click to open the pictures. Many ministries use Constant Contact. Eagles Landing Baptist Church is one of them.

"Don't preach again on being dead to the world until you have victory over it yourself," the Lord had told Rees Howells. Rees realized how much of the world was still in him when the Lord asked him to do something that was totally unheard of in those days. The Lord told him to leave his house without wearing a hat. No respected man would dare think of doing such a thing! And yet that was what God was asking.

Through this training, Rees came to realize that God was in the process of helping him put his respectable self-nature to death. He was asking Rees to reckon himself dead unto the world, dead unto what others thought. As each hint of self was brought up, Rees had to deal with it in cold blood, realizing that his "dead" self could have no part of such things ever again. And, one by one, he surrendered each area in total abandonment to the Lordship of Christ.

Well, Lord, I see the same thing working in me. I realize you are trying to help me put my respectable self-nature to death. But, I have a big problem. Instead of reckoning my old man dead, I tend to resurrect him instead and cave in to his wishes. When he cries for food, I eat. When he whines about being sleepy, I sleep. When he's afraid of what others might think or say, I back down. When he doesn't like something, I grumble. I just pamper and pet him and give him everything he wants as though he is my master.

Well, I am sick of him! I have realized that my old man makes a good slave, but he makes a poor master. So, I will be in control from now on. I will tell him what to do. I will deal with him in cold blood, reckoning rather than resurrecting. He's dead and I'm going to start living like it!

+++A lady from the drug task force who busted Christina came to the P.H. Dina said her son had been asking and asking her to go to church with him. After seeing Christina and the girls, she went to church the next day with her son and rededicated her life to the Lord. She said she thought she was coming to help Christina, but found out she was coming for Christina to help her.

+++Lisa had a previous commitment today to take a friend for eye surgery at 11 and it would not be possible for her to go with us tonight. Yesterday, we prayed that the surgery would be rescheduled so Lisa could go. They called yesterday afternoon and said they would like to reschedule the surgery for 7 this morning. Isn't God awesome?

+++One of my dear friends, Joyce Bean, by God's providence (long story) has been corresponding with someone in Anne Graham Lotz' ministry, AnGel Ministries. They have gone on our website and here is their response, "I appreciate the website for the Potter's House and have taken the time to read the amazing testimonies and see the transformation of the women facing substance and physical abuse. Your ministry is one of great need, and we would like to send you Anne's "My Jesus Is Everything" book and "My Heart's Cry" CD to be shared among the women walking through your doors for help.

+++Yesterday, I received an e-mail from a lady named Jill Wilcox, who is the marketing representative for the Atlanta Postal Credit Union. She has just recently heard about us and wants to bring some ladies from her church. Also, next year, they will be giving to the Potter's House for their charitable donation from work.

Wow! Wow! Wow, wow, wow! I stand in awe of the Lord today! I just want to share with you what He is doing, because it is awesome! Monday night, Diana Cowan came and brought some ladies. One of them, a 27 year old, works at Hair Smithsonian. She was blown away by the P.H. She told Diana, "There is something in my heart...a feeling that I can't describe" after being in the meeting. She went to work yesterday and told all the people who work there about the P.H. They all are excited about it and are coming out on Dec. 21st. We are praying for the salvation of all these young people. I am going to bring a short message on salvation and have an altar call that night.

And, last night, I received a call from a 24 year old in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was searching on the web for deliverance ministries and somehow found us....even though we are not listed on any search engine. You have to type in our web address to find us. We talked for 45 minutes. She is living in total fear...says she is so scared to go to sleep. She is afraid she has committed the unpardonable sin. She told me she thinks she is demon possessed. She has been into witchcraft, drugs, prostitution, etc. She also told me that she is afraid God has turned her over to a reprobate mind. Wow...in 45 minutes, I explained so much stuff to her! At the end, we both got down in the floor and I told her that we were going to pray and I wanted her to commit and surrender her entire life, soul, heart, mind, body, everything to the Lord Jesus Christ. She said she wanted to. "But first," she said, "I want to confess all my sins." So, she proceeded to confess everything from witchcraft to sexual stuff...and then we prayed. She said she meant the prayer...that she gave everything to Him from this day forward. Her name is Faith. She will be on my daily e-mail after today. She wants to come to the P.H.....we don't have a bed right now. So, please pray for Faith. This was God's Divine providence!

Following along behind them, he was wide-eyed with wonder, thinking about the adventure that lay just ahead. His little mind had been actively at work, picturing himself exploring all those underground tunnels his friends said they had discovered. What a shock he received upon arrival at the big, open field, as he stood helplessly by while they all laughed at him. It only took a split second for my husband, then a young boy of about 10, to realize that there were no tunnels after all. He hung his head as he trudged away. He walked away from the scene, but that scene never walked away from him. It was no fun to be deceived!

Most of us have discovered that awful, soul-wrenching feeling that comes with waking up to deception! Nobody likes to be deceived. However, multitudes of people today are deceived spiritually. They think they are saved because they said a sinner's prayer; they had a wonderful spiritual experience; they were baptized; they joined a church; they are good; etc. They follow the devil like a pied piper, secure in their minds that they are on their way to heaven. How sad it will be when they reach the end of their lives, only to discover the minute they draw their last breath that it's not heaven after all. At that moment, they will know the truth and realize that they have been deceived!

Friend, don't be led out into that open field of the devil's lies. There are no tunnels underneath! Instead, get in God's Word and find out what He says...and do it. Don't depend on what others say. Don't depend on what you feel or think. Trust God's holy Word. If you want to know that you know that you are saved, read the little book of I John, in which you will find the word "know" about 32 times. It is written so that you may "know" that you have eternal life. (First John 5:13) Line your life up with this Word and you can "know!"

..........Rob, Jennifer's boyfriend, is in school for media production. He and 4 friends have a major project that they are to do together to present in January. They are doing a documentary on the Potter's House. They all came out recently to look at the house, to meet the girls, and to ask a lot of questions. After leaving, two of them rededicated their lives to the Lord, due to the Lord showing Himself through our ladies. We thank God for using us to make a difference in other lives.

In the stillness! In the quietness! Just before dawn, it falls! It provides nourishment and refreshment, as it blankets the ground. The precious dew from heaven awakens the morning with its message of God's unfailing love. Even sheep get much of their life-sustaining water from this early morning dew!

This morning, when my alarm so rudely interrupted my sleep, my body started putting in its two-cents worth about how tired and in need of sleep it was. But, then, my soul retaliated with its desperate cries of thirst for the Lord. As I arose and began my early morning tryst with my Savior, He spoke so sweetly to me out of Psalm 143. It was just what my parched soul needed. It was the early morning dew to my soul! It brought nourishment and refreshment and I received the life-sustaining water of the Word to begin my day with.

Friend, maybe this dew will refresh you today also. "Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You, I lift up my soul. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground. For Your name's sake, O Lord, preserve my life; in Your righteousness, bring me out of trouble."

Thank You, precious Heavenly Father, for providing the early morning dew. There's nothing like it! This sheep cannot survive without it! Wow! What I would miss if I listened to the protests from my body and caved in to what it wanted! Thank You, Lord, for the priceless early morning dew!

..........On the pictures which will follow this e-mail, there is a picture of Gloria, a lady from Eagle's Landing Baptist Church in McDonough. This group of ladies have faithfully come to the P.H. once a month, every month, for about 4 years now. Gloria just moved here and came with the group to the P.H. She was really overwhelmed when she came. She just got saved at 81 and told us her story. She has been in church. She has taught Sunday School. But, she told us she had never felt the presence of the Lord until she came through the doors of the P.H. She realized that she did not have what these girls have. Praise the Lord for using our ladies in the salvation of an 81 year old precious life!

..........Thank all of you who have been bringing food donations. They are coming in. What a difference this makes, as we have 57 meals a day right now to provide. (19 ladies x 3 meals a day.) We pray that God will abundantly bless all of you who so graciously help provide for our girls.

Terrified! Distressed! Panicky! He was plummeting headlong toward the ground! How could his mother possibly do this to him? Why, just a few seconds before, his mama had flown out over the deep canyon with him on her back. The wind on his face excited him. The flight stirred something deep in his soul. But then...she turned upside down. He held on as long as he could, but the force of gravity tore his claws from her back. And here he was...falling!

What the little eaglet didn't know was that his mother could fly faster than he could fall. She swooped under him and caught him on her back before he hit the ground. Quite to his surprise, this same process was repeated over and over. Until...until, as he nose-dived one more time, he suddenly began to flap those things that were on the side of his body. And, he discovered that those things, called wings, could keep him airborne. Wow! What a discovery! He had wings all along but didn't know how to use them until he was thrown off a cliff and forced to use what he received at his physical birth!

Well, dear one! Take heart! God has not abandoned you! He has put you into these circumstances to force you to use the things He gave you at your spiritual birth. You don't even know what all you received at this birth until you are put in situations that compel you to act? Then....you discover something wonderful that you could have learned in no other way! So, rejoice, treasured one, and allow your loving Heavenly Father to teach you how to fly!

..........I asked you to pray for Stephanie, a 25 year old young lady, who graduated from the P.H. in 2007. She has been in college for Criminal Justice and has made the Dean's List every quarter. She also has been working and has become the manager of a Dollar General. Because she has done so well, yesterday in court, they revoked her 5 year probation. This is a real powerful testimony to the grace of God! We love you, Stephanie!

..........We have a full house and are in need of another home. We are having so many applicants that we cannot keep up with them! We interviewed a precious lady Monday that is homeless and broken, but we have no beds. It broke all the girls' hearts that we have nowhere for her. We are having to put everyone on a waiting list and we don't like to do that. Some of these ladies are desperate and won't make it if they have to wait. Please pray for another house for us soon!

Unseen! Unheard! Unfelt! Silent! Invisible! Inaudible. Yet, they are all around you. They're in your home, in the office, in the malls. They're everywhere! They're in America, China, Australia, the North Pole. Everywhere! You would have no way of knowing that they are real, however, without having a proper receptacle for them. That receptacle is a TV set. It picks up those invisible, inaudible, unfelt waves that occupy the air space everywhere and makes them visible and audible to you.

Just like those TV waves, our God is everywhere, too. He is all around us. Yet, He is invisible to our human eyes and inaudiable to our human ears. In order to receive Him, we must have the proper receptacle. That receptacle is our spirit, which is nonfunctioning until salvation, at which time it is made alive to God. It's kind of like having a TV set that doesn't pick up anything until it's turned on. The TV set is there, the TV waves are all around, but the set must be turned on. Likewise, our spirits must be turned on...they are dead to God's air waves until the Holy Spirit comes in and makes them alive.

Perhaps, today, your spirit is dead to God. Oh, you know by looking around that there must be a God, but you don't know Him. You can't see Him, hear Him, or feel Him; therefore, you aren't really sure that He is real. Oh, friend, if this is you, you need a receptacle. You need to be saved. Your spirit needs to be turned on. And, then, oh, you won't believe what you will begin to see and hear spiritually. God will become more real to you than even the physical world all around you. Give your heart and soul to the Lord today. He's much better than any TV!

..........Last night was awesome. Dara and her "Just For Jehovah" dancers had the evening service at Rock Springs. Dara gave her testimony and she and the girls did several interpretive dances. There's no way to describe this! Dara's whole heart and soul go into this and you can really feel it. It had a powerful impact on the whole church. Many people came to the altar...many got saved and others came to repent and return to the Lord. It just melted my heart, as I thought of 4 years ago when Dara came to the P.H....skinny, scared, struggling with addiction to crack cocaine. Oh, to see her today! It fills my heart with joy, as I watch her ministering to those young girls that dance with her....10, 12, 13 years old. Oh, what an impact she is having on them! I thank God for all that He has done and is doing in Dara's life.

..........Also, one of our ministry team ladies, Missy , dances with Dara. Missy is always devoted and committed to whatever she undertakes. She has been a blessing to us at the P.H. We thank God for all He is doing in Missy's life...and in her families' lives as well.

I'm not very big and I may not look very important! However, don't be fooled by my appearance. I actually am one of the most important things around most households, particularly to the men-folks. They just love me! In fact, when they walk into their living room, I am usually one of the first things they head for. And, once they get their hands on me, they don't let me go easily!

You know, I could really get the big head and brag if I wanted to, especially seeing how important I am to the man of the house. However, I am occasionally brought back to reality when my batteries go dead! It makes me realize once again that, without batteries, I have no power. I can do nothing without them! I'm totally useless in that state! And, besides that, I can't do anything without someone picking me up, pointing me at a TV, and pushing one of my buttons. So, I'm actually at folks' mercy. I'm really not my own, you know. I am simply a tool in the hands of the user! That's the way all us remote controls are!

Christian, we could look at ourselves the same way! We are God's little remote controls. As long as we stay in the Word and in prayer and in fellowship with other believers, we can keep our power source, the Holy Spirit, charged up. Then, God can pick us up and use us to His heart's desire. However, we, too, must always keep in mind that we are not our own and that we can do absolutely nothing apart from the Lord, our source. We are His to do with exactly as He pleases. So, that should eliminate all boasting, self-righteousness, self-satisfaction, pride, etc. We are simply tools in the hands of the User, Almighty God! We are God's little remote controls!

..........Please pray for one of our 2006 graduates, Stephanie. She has been in school, making Dean's List every quarter. She is the manager of a Dollar General in Newnan. She has been going to school for a degree in Criminal Justice. She will be finishing her classes in January and starting her internship at the Sheriff's Department. Then, she will graduate in April. Tomorrow morning at 9, she will be going for a hearing on the possible termination of her probation, due to her excellence in every area of her life for the last three years. We are so proud of Stephanie!

..........Last night, our friends from Eagle's Landing came over. We had such an awesome time. These women are like family to us. We have grown so close to them. We just love them to death and thank God for their continued, faithful love and support of the P.H.

Lot's wife reluctantly got out of Sodom, but she didn't get Sodom out of her. Even after being told by the angels that God was going to destroy Sodom and after being led by the hand out of this wicked city by the angels, she still looked back. She longed for the things she left behind. She couldn't bear the thought of giving up her wordly, carnal, pleasure-filled life. She didn't want to let go of her standing in society. She wanted to stay in Sodom! But, in her desire to save her life for herself and what she wanted, she, in turn, lost it!

Friend, "Remember Lot's wife." When you start dallying around with the world, enjoying the same things the world enjoys, going the same places the world goes, talking and acting like the world around you, "Remember Lots' wife." When you settle down into a comfort zone, not wanting to change, not wanting to be dedicated and devoted to God, "Remember Lot's wife." When you want to do your own thing, live your life the way you want, and be your own boss, "Remember Lot's wife."

...........Yesterday was awesome! We recieved a check for $5,000. We were all so excited. We have been praying for more funds, because we need another vehicle...among other things. We praise God for this money and for the one who so graciously provided it. I will be praying and seeking God about what to do with it, because I do not want to use any money for anything other than what the Lord says to use it for! He sent it...and He knows what He wants us to do with it!

...........Yesterday, we had a couple to come from Pine Mountain, near Columbus, to see our home and our program. She has a TV program on a local station and wants us to come in January to tell about our ministry. We will have 30 minutes. We will be looking forward to this.

..........Tomorrow, we will have a booth at the Health Fair at Eagle's Landing Baptist Church. We will be showing our video from a lap top. We will also have the before and after pictures of the girls and some other info. We hope to get a lot more e-mail addresses, so we can add to our daily list. If you'd like to come to the Health Fair, it is open for everyone. You can get free health screenings for many areas that are potentially dangerous to your health.

You turn on TV and it's nothing but bad news! You get on the highway and have to watch out for road rage! You stand in a line and listen to mostly grumbling and venting! Everywhere you go, you're rushed, pushed, shoved, and trying to meet deadlines! It's madness! It's crazy!

If you're like me, sometimes you wish could just say, "Stop the world and let me get off!" Well, this morning I decided to do just that! I'm getting off! I don't like the merry-go-round! And, you know what...I don't have to stay on it! I don't have to go with the world! I am going to choose a different route today!

Today, I'm going to see if I can make somebody laugh! I'm going to encourage someone! I'm going to be a blessing to someone! I'm going to think about ways I can make other people's lives lighter and better today. I'm going to enjoy the journey...and I want to help others enjoy it, too. Won't you join me?

..........If you know of anyone who would be interested in being on our daily e-mail list, please let us know. I think you are really going to be pleased when you start getting the "Constant Contact" every day. Missy is working on it...learning more about it. It is a program that big businesses use. There is so much to it! We can't wait until we can start sending you short, 1 minute videos of the girls, along with the daily pictures! And the neat thing about it is that we can have thousands and thousands of people on it.

Searching for God's will in a particular area? Wondering what to do? Well, the following was written by George Mueller, one of the greatest men of faith who ever lived. He founded many orphanages and it is said that over 7 million dollars came through his hands in his lifetime. Yet, he never asked for one penny. It all came through prayer alone!

"How I ascertain the will of God: I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people is right here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.

Having surrendered my own will, I do not leave the result to feeling or simply impressions. If I do so, I make myself liable to great delusions. I seek the will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If the Holy Spirit guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.

Next, I take into account providential circumstances. These often plainly indicate God's will in connection with His Word and Spirit. I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me aright. Thus, through prayer to God, the study of His Word, and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment, and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly."

..........Today, I am going to start recording my book, "Even Weeds Have Flowers" on CD's. This is in lieu of publishing the book again, which would cost me over $4000 up front. When finished, it will be a set of 12 CD's, one CD for each month of the year. You can put it in your car and listen to the devotional for the current day of the month or however you would like to listen to it. There will be soft music playing in the background as I read each devotional. I am very excited about this.

..........Last night, we all went to the Dairy Queen in Forsyth for Brother Benny's birthday. We had a great time. We love our Pastor so much. He has been such a blessing to the P.H. in more ways than we could even begin to name. He loves the P.H. and has had a tremendous part in our whole ministry! We thank God for him and pray that our Father will continue to pour out His Spirit and anointing on him.

He was just 16 and had accepted his first job, which was in Glasgow. His home was about 6 miles from the big city. Between his home and Glasgow, there was a deep ravine that was supposed to be haunted. Some really terrible things had happened in it and he was afraid to go through it even in the day time. At night, it was out of the question.

On Monday morning, his father walked with him to work and in parting, said, "Alec, come home as fast as you can when you get off Saturday night." Thinking of the ravine, Alexander Maclaren said he answered his father, "Father, I will be awfully tired Saturday night. I will come home early Saturday morning." But his father was adamant. "No, Alec. You have never been away from home before, and these 5 days are going to seem like a year to me. Come home Saturday night." Reluctantly, Alec answered, "All right, Father."

All week long, Alec worried about the ravine. When Saturday night came, he wrapped up his belongings and headed out. He said, "I whistled to keep up my courage, but when I looked down into that inky blackness, I knew I couldn't go. The tears came unbidden, and then suddenly I heard footsteps in the ravine coming up the path. I started to run, but hesitated, for those footsteps were very familiar. Up out of the darkness, into the pale light, as I watched, came the head and shoulders of the grandest man on earth. He was bound to have known I was scared, but he only said, "Alec, I wanted to see you so badly that I came to meet you.' So, shoulder to shoulder, we went down into that valley and I was not afraid of anything."

Christian, perhaps you, too, are afraid. There's a big black ravine of uncertainty looming up ahead in your life. The future is so insecure, so unstable, so fragile, yet you have no choice but to travel down its path. You feel so vulnerable, so alone, so full of doubts and fears. Oh, dear one, hold your head up high and start down that path. You'll see, coming up out of that inky blackness, the grandest and greatest One who's ever lived! He wants to see you so badly that He'll come to meet you. He'll put His arm around you and walk with you every step of the way. Oh, child, you need never fear, for your Heavenly Father is always near!

..........We are getting ready to start the Constant Contact, probably next week. I wanted to give everyone a chance to know what we are going to do before we start. Some people don't open their e-mails every day, so I will probably be saying something more than once this week.

..........I will send the daily devotionals out as usual...just like this one. However, the pictures and updates will be on Constant Contact. On your e-mail, it will say, From: Potter's House For Women; Subject: News from Potter's House For Women. You will have to click to download pictures. Everyone should be able to open the pictures. If you have any problems, just let me know and I will call Constant Contact and find out what to do.

Drive out all the inhabitants! That's what the Lord had told the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land, where the Canaanites were already dwelling. He told them not to leave a single person in the land, not even a woman or a child. If they failed to drive out all the inhabitants, God had said that these foreigners would become thorns in their sides and their gods would become a snare unto them.

Well, the children of Israel did not obey! And God's anger was kindled against them. He would not drive out the inhabitants, but left them in the land to teach warfare to the children of Israel. In other words, because they wouldn't drive out all the inhabitants, then the Israelites were always in a battle, always struggling, always fighting battles that were there because they hadn't gotten rid of the inhabitants!

What about you, dear one? Have you driven out all the inhabitants in your life? Have you driven out even all the children: all those little things; all those things that seem innocent; all those strongholds; all those things that don't seem terribly sinful, yet they are really not Christ-honoring? If you haven't driven them out, then don't think that God will! He has told you to do that! If you don't, they will become a thorn in your side and a snare, or trap, unto you. And you will fight continuous battles in your life that are totally unnecessary!

Let's make today a driving out day! Let's drive out everything that is occupying territory in our lives that doesn't need to be there! Let's take back the land God promised to us! Let's make up our minds once and for all that there is no place in our lives for the inhabitants that were dwelling there already when we got saved and entered the Promised Land. I'm putting on my "shooing" shoes and I'm getting ready to "shoo" off some things that have got to go!

..........Jennifer has been coming over and helping us with some technical stuff. The Lord always sends us somebody that knows a lot more about this stuff than we do. We thank God for sending her. She will be bringing over the equipment today for me to record on (from the recording studio that she started a while back.) We are planning on putting my book, Even Weeds Have Flowers" on CD's. We are out of books and we have people asking for them. However, it would cost me almost $5000 to have them reprinted and we cannot afford that. So, this would be an alternative that doesn't cost us anything up front. We are really excited about this!

We are all familiar with the saying, "What you see is what you get." Well, that's not exactly true. Lisa came up with another saying this morning that is so much more appropriate. "What you sow is what you get." For her early morning devotional with the girls, Lisa took a beautifully wrapped present into the Esther Room. One of the girls opened the gift, expecting to find something great...only to discover one paper clip in the bottom. Lisa told them, "What you see is not what you get!"

The Bible tells us, "Be not deceived. God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap." If a man sows corn, he gets corn. If he sows wheat, he gets wheat. If he sows wild oats, he gets wild oats. The law of sowing and reaping is a natural law as well as a spiritual one.

So, let's put the law into practice today. Let's get in our garden of life and start sowing some good seeds. If we want love, sow love. If we want peace, sow peace. If we want joy, sow joy. If we want to be blessed by others, then we should be a blessing to others. Remember: What you sow is what you get! What are you growing in your garden of life today?

..........We want to thank all of you who have responded to our requests about the food. We are so excited to have help with this. It will be such a blessing to me, as it is getting more difficult for me to buy all the groceries every week. My husband and I spend every Saturday at Sam's, Wal-Mart, and other places that we have to go to get supplies for the P.H. He has back problems and is unable to help me with some of it. He cannot lift the 50 pound bag of sugar or the 32 pound container of laundry detergent. So, needless to say, I am very excited about getting your help, not only for the physical help, but also for the help it will be financially. God bless all of you who are so willing to help us! I love you all!

..........Everyone in the household has started on some kind of exercise plan. Several of us are walking every day. I am staying after group so I can walk with them. Some of us walk 2 miles; others walk 3 miles. Our main priority is to be in good spiritual shape, but we all want to be in good physical shape as well.

Napoleon's sword! George Washington's gun! David's sling! Goliath's javelin. Saul's armor! Weapons used by famous people! It's doubtful that you own any of these, but you do have a weapon in your home that belonged to the foremost dignitary who ever walked across the face of this planet. You have, in your possession, the exact weapon used by the greatest man who has ever lived!

Friend, you have the very sword of Jesus Christ Himself! It is the same sword He used over 2,000 years ago to defeat satan. It's the same sword He will one day use again as He smites the nations and rules them with a rod of iron. It's mightier than all the weapons of all the nations since the beginning of time. It's more powerful than any gun, any cannon, any torpedo, or any bomb that man has ever made or ever will make. It is so powerful that it can even mow down the invisible army that wages war continuously against the souls of mankind!

This sword is the Word of God, according to Ephesians 6:17. And it will work for you just like it did for Jesus. This sword has never lost a battle! Never missed a target! Never gotten dull! Never diminished in power! Never gotten outdated! The only time it won't work is when it isn't used. Swords don't work on shelves!

Wow! I have in my possession the greatest weapon the earth has ever known...the very weapon used by my precious Savior! I'm going to get it out today and thrust it right ino the hearts of my enemies (the world, the flesh, and the devil). Thunk! An enemy just bit the dust!

..........Stefanie has gone to Texas. She left early this morning. Some of her folks live in Texas and have invited her to come out and give her testimony to their church. They paid her plane fare and will be taking care of everything else. She will be there until Sunday. She is nervous but also very excited! Please pray for her as she stands before a lot of people to tell them all that God is doing in her life!

..........We are working on something new. We are so excited about it. It is called Constant Contact. It will enable us to reach many, many more people and keep everyone updated about things going on at the P.H. We are in the process of getting it set up. I will explain more about it later.

"Have you considered My servant, Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?" Job 1:8 God asked this of satan, who had come before Him to accuse the brethren. Job, of course, knew nothing of this confrontation. He did not know that he had been chosen to be the battleground between God and satan. Satan's contention was that no man loved God for His own sake..."Does Job fear God for naught?" 1:9 Satan was really saynig, "Job only loves You because You bless him? Let me curse his blessings and I will prove it to You." Satan's primary concern was to sneer against God; he was after disconcerting God, putting God in a corner, so to speak, whre God would have to take action along satan's proposed lines.

As part of the bargain satan made with God, satan implied that God must keep out of sight...and God did! He never once showed Himself to Job. The presentation of the controversy between God and satan was such that satan had everything on his side and God had nothing on His, so much so that God dare not say a word to Job till he had proved himself worthy. Job could not answer one of the charges his friends brough against him. He tore their arguments to shreds in favor of his pain, yet he clung to, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him."

Where do you stand in regard to suffering? The modern mind generally looks on suffering and pain as an unmitigated curse; the Bible puts something akin to purifying in connection with suffering. However, the only way traditional belief can be transformed into personal possession is by suffering. Faith untried is simply a promise and a possibility; tried faith is pure gold. Faith must be tried, otherwise it is of no worth to God. Think of the dignity it gives to a man's life to know that God has put His honor in the man's keeping. Our lives mean more than we can tell; they mean that we are fulfilling some purpose of God about which we know nothing any more than Job did.

..........Jennifer and Wendi have both moved out of the Potter's House. Wendi has been here longer than a year. They are both working. Wendi will be living with Jennifer, so they can be a help to each other. Please pray for them as they spread their wings. Jennifer's three girls really want her home. She got a car...so this seems to be the right timing.

Adokimos is still around today! It has now reached epidemic proportions in the Christian population in America. Most Christians have no earthly idea that they are infected with it and will probably die with it. Therefore, not realizing their condition, they do nothing about it. Instead of the words of the apostle Paul, the modern Christian's words could be, "I pamper my body and I become a slave to it. I just let it eat all it wants, sleep all it wants, watch all the TV it wants, have all the entertainment and pleasure it wants, buy what it wants, and allow it free reign. I don't want anything that costs me too much!"

This attitude is the infectious spiritual virus that invades one's spiritual life and results in adokimos. Adokimos means a castaway, one who has been disapproved, rejected, declared worthless. In other words, it is a Christian who is of no further use to God and is put on a shelf for the duration of his earthly life. He cares more about his phyical body than about his spiritual one. He focuses mostly on himself. He has a very man-centered, me-centered Christianity.

We are all subject to adokimos! However, the good news is that we can do something to prevent it. We can determine, as Paul did, to "endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ," "not entangling ourselves in the affairs of this life." We can take control of our bodies, remembering that our bodies make great slaves but very poor masters. Let's don't be adokimos!

..........Lisa really wants another job. She is working two part-time jobs right now. Lisa has really stood for the Lord. She has been faithful. She is a good, hard worker...dependable, faithful, and has a great attitude. If you know of anything, please let us know!

..........We could use a dresser or a chest of drawers for the Hannah House. We would put it in the garage for the ladies to have extra room for some of their stuff. With two ladies in a small room, they don't have much space to put clothes, shoes, jewelry, etc. in.

As I sat quietly in the woods one day, listening to all the sounds and looking at everything around me that God had made, I was just enjoying communion with my Heavenly Father. I closed my eyes and listened to see how many different bird sounds I could count. I heard a dog barking in the distance, an airplane overhead, a car going by. It was so peaceful and calming.

Suddenly, the wind starting picking up and it sounded almost like rain all around me. There was pine straw falling, dead leaves blowing off tress, and bark and small limbs hitting the ground. Even a fairly good sized limb fell close to me, startling me and causing me to recoil. All this "stuff" was hanging on comfortably in the trees until the wind started blowing. Then, everything that was dead and not firmly attached blew off.

The thought hit me, "That's the way it is in a Christian's life. He can go along pretty comfortably with lots of unnecessary, unimportant, humdrum, dead stuff hanging on in his life...until the wind of the Holy Spirit starts moving. Then, all the "stuff" that is not "rooted and grounded in the Word" starts falling off!

Since then, I have been praying, "Lord, let the wind of the Holy Spirit blow across my life. Don't allow me to get comfortable. Blow everything out of my life that doesn't need to be there. Shake loose all that dead, unnecessary stuff and leave my life clean and holy. I don't like deadness! Holy Spirit, come like a mighty rushing wind! I welcome You!"

..........Gwen is still doing great! She calls the P.H. every day, because she wants to be accountable. Her husband, John, told me that she witnesses to everybody she sees. She shows the P.H. video to everyone who comes to their house. She is still on fire for God! She and John have bought a place on a beautiful lake. They have a dock, with steps going down to the water, so the girls can swim. They are calling it the Potter's House Retreat. We all cannot wait to go. They will be moving in their new home in a couple of weeks.

Practice! Lots of practice! That's what it takes to be good at anything...and to stay good at it! An accomplished pianist once said, "If I fail to practice for just one day, I can tell it. If I don't practice for two days, my family can tell it. And if I don't practice for three days, the world can tell it."

Practice! It's no big secret. We all recognize the fact that sports teams must practice and accomplished musicians must practice. In fact, we realize that it takes continual practice in whatever field or endeavor we choose in order to be good at it and to stay good at it! It takes practice!

However, we don't seem to "get it" in the spiritual realm. We think we can go to church one or two days a week and have a great spiritual walk! We think we can spend a few minutes here and there with the Lord Jesus Christ and accomplish great things for Him! We don't exercise our "spiritual muscles" and they atrophy, thereby causing us to get lazy and weak spiritually. We lose our fire and our zeal and don't even realize that it's because we're not "practicing."

What's the answer to this dilemma? Practice! Daily practice! Moment by moment practice! Brother Lawerence coined a phrase years ago that he became known for: "Practice the presence of Jesus." That is something, as Christians, we all need to do. That would be a good motto for us to wake up with, go through the day with, and end the day with. If we would "practice the presence of Jesus," our lives would be transformed. Remember the words of the Lord Jesus in Matthew, "Be ye, therefore, perfect, even as your Father, who is in heaven, is perfect." Practice makes perfect!

..........Last night, we went to Salem Baptist Church to the Boomer's Class to give our testimonies. The Boomer's Class has supported us monthly for quite a while now. We had a great time...wonderful food and a great time of fellowship. We love and appreciate these wonderful people so very much. They gave us a $500 gift card to Sam's, which we are so excited about. My husband and I go to Sam's every week to buy groceries and supplies for the girls. It takes a lot for 23 women. So, we are so grateful for this Sam's card. Thank all of you at Salem. We love you!

..........Julie went to court yesterday and got a really good outcome. Hopefully, she will be able to get her driver's license soon. Also, Missy's fines have been paid off and she will be getting her driver's license in a week or so. We will have two more drivers...which is great! Keep praying with us for another car. If you run across something, like a Honda or a Nissan, that is older but in good shape and not too expensive, please let us know.

Maximize. Minimize. That's what I do on the computer all morning long. When I want to focus on something, I maximize it. It's so easy. Just one click and my choice is made! And, then, when I finish, I can click on print, save, or delete. Just one click. So simple! Click...maximize. Click...minimize. Click...save. Click...delete!

Boy, wouldn't it be great if we could do that in real life? Bad thought...click...delete! Great thought...click...save! Awesome idea...click...print! Worship...click...maximize! Well, we don't have a click button in life, but we have something better: God's Word that tells us what we can do! We absolutely can take our thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. We can focus on Him. We can learn to discipline our minds. We have the power of choice. We can choose where our minds will dwell. God has given me a spiritual "click" button and I can turn on or off, maximize or minimize, save or delete at my discretion.

Well, today, I am going to treat my brain like a computer. All day long, I am going to think, "Click...maximize Christ." When other thoughts come that interfere, I am going to think, "Click...minimize." When bad thoughts come, I am going to think, "Click...delete." Boy, I am ready to get started. So, here goes! Click...send!

..........Last night, Diana Cowan came over. She has started back coming once a month and we are so excited. Diana has been coming to the P.H. for about 5 years now. She is actually the first one to start coming and bringing groups out. She even brought Casting Crowns and Altaration to the P.H. Also, two of our board members came, Henrietta and Joyce. We are always grateful to see them. We thank God for all these people who love us and support us and encourage us and pray for us. We love them very much!

.........Today, Missy and I are going to Eagle's Landing to talk to the lady there who does all their newsletters. A while back, I found out about a program, called Constant Contact, on which you can do e-mail newsletters...thousands of them. This is the program that Eagle's Landing uses for all their e-mails. I am at the point in our ministry now where I am going to have to make a change. The ink on the newsletters is so unbelievably expensive! And we have so many people who want to be added. Just this month alone, I already have 26 new people to add. So, I am going to talk to Carla today. I will let you know about the future of our newsletters.

There is no greater need in the church today than for the fire of God to fall. We need the supernatural power of God. We need services that are more than just nice meetings with nice music and nice preaching. We need results that cannot be explaied in terms of human effort. We need that which man cannot program, manipulate, plan or make happen. We need something more than the ordinary operation of the Holy Spirit in the lives of His people. We need the extraordinary outpouring of His Spirit. We need the fire of God!

When the fire falls, we see God for who He really is. Both the Old and New Testaments reveal God to be a God of fire. In this centruy, we have come to teach and worship two Gods...the God of the Old Testament who is holy and just and judges sin and the God of the New Testament who is loving, merciful, and gracious. But the God of the O.T. is the same as the God of the N. T., only there is a Lamb beside the throne in the N.T.

God is still a God of fire. Fire has two sides. We heat with it, cook with it, and use it for many wonderful purposes. But, fire also has another side. it will kill and devastate if it is not obeyed and respected. It is not to be played around with or taken lightly. God isn't either! And we'd better not be playing a game, taking Him lightly, and not obeying and respecting Him. He's still a holy God and He still hates and judges sin!

..........We had a good meeting in Camilla yesterday. Our main purpose was to acquaint some of the people with the Potter's House and let them know about our ministry. We hope to open a home down there, so we want the community to know about us before we ever come.

Want to hear something unbelievable? Ok. Here it is. Yesterday, Mary Edith was down in the library, in which we have many books. She came across one of the several Bibles we have in the library and decided to pick it up. For some reason, she looked at the first page inside and saw the page I have attached.

She immediately ran upstairs with the Bible to show it to Janie. Janie, who has been at the P.H. a short time, was raised in and out of DFACS from the age of 5 to the age of 17. During this time, as a teenager, she was baptized at Fayetteville First United Methodist Church...in 1991. Because of her volatile situation through those years, she was unable to keep many things that were important to her. One of those things was the Bible that was given to her by this church upon her baptism.

This Bible somehow made its way over a period of 18 years, from 1991 to the present, and ended up at the P.H. in our library. We have no idea how we got it. We have people to donate books from time to time, so we know someone donated this Bible at some point. The Lord watched over this Bible for 18 years and made sure that Janie got it back. How awesome is that!

Dear one, have you somehow fallen by the wayside? Have you gotten weary, tired, depressed, afraid, angry, or any ot the other emotions that keep us from faithfully loving and serving Him? Are you serving Him today because of what He does for you, for how He makes you feel......or are you serving Him simply because you love Him and you have determined in your heart to serve Him faithfully no matter what?

..........Sunday morning, we went to Eagle's Landing Legacy Group luncheon. We enjoyed a great meal and great fellowship with our sisters and brothers in Christ. We showed our video and gave our testimonies. Going to Eagle's Landing is like our second home. We know so many of the people and have gotten so close to them. The girls all got to meet Mark Hall of Casting Crowns and Barry Smith of Altaration. We had an awesome time!

..........Last night, our friends from Eagle's Landing came...they have been coming once a month now for over 4 years. They are our family. We love them and so appreciate all the love and support and encouragement they have been to us through these years. Without them, the P.H. would definitely not be what it is today! We love you all and thank God for you!

A mailbox, no matter if it's rickety and in need of repair, or if it's huge and majestic...it has only one purpose. That purpose is to hold and convey messages to people all over the world. The mailbox is part of a much greater system, but it is a vital part of that system! To be effective, however, the mailbox cannot be set up just anywhere. It couldn't be out in a field somewhere, disconnected from its system. If it were, it would be utterly useless. It could neither receive nor transmit the stream of human communication for which it is made.

Likewise, we Christians are God's little mailboxes. Regardless of how tall or short, fat or skinny, educated or uneducated we are, we still have one purpose....to receive and transmit the stream of Divine communication between heaven and earth. We are part of a much greater system and, like a regular mailbox, we cannot be disconnected from our Source, Almighty God, or we could no longer receive or transmit.

Friend, if you are saved, you are God's little mailbox. You might be a little ole' rusty, small mailbox, but you can still carry heavenly mail. So, get your eyes off the other mailboxes and just do your job! The Master Postman has some heavenly mail He wants to deliver to earth...and He wants to deliver it through you!

..........We have another new girl, Sherry. She came about 5:00 P.M. and went to church with us. She got saved in Lisa's office after church. Lisa could tell Sherry was in a battle, so she talked to her about her soul and Sherry gave her heart and life to Christ.

..........We had an awesome time in Destin. There is absolutely no way to describe it. We went expecting God to move and He did. He moved in every life...and He moved every day. The girls got up excited, went through the day excited, and went to bed excited. All day long, they searched the Scriptures and God spoke mightily. The Lord moved on all of us to be witnesses...and they went up and down the beach witnessing to folks. Even the quiet ones were talking to people. One lady came to our group time one night.

We are getting ready to leave for Destin, but I wanted to mention a couple of things. One, I want to thank McDonough Christian Church for the landscaping for the Hannah House last Saturday. It is unbelievable what they did. They have put plants around the entire house. It is beautiful. They will finish up this coming Saturday, so I will send pictures of the yard later. Thank you, thank you, thank you! These folks have been precious friends to us at the P.H.for several years now. We would not be near where we are without them! We love you, McD C.

Also, I want to thank Danny Keith, Missy's uncle, who has faithfully supported us ever since Missy came to the P.H. He had a fish fry for us because he wanted to do something for us. He raised $1090! We were all blown away! What Danny didn't know and what Jan Kelley, who had a yard sale for us, didn't know was that our donations were down and that we had all been really praying for funds. It is amazing to see how God provides when you don't tell anyone of your need, you pray, and you see God answer in ways you never thought of! Thank you, thank you, thank you Danny, Jan, and all the others who helped!

"Lord, you certainly do have a sense of humor," I thought, as I removed myself from the hole in the bottom of the chair. I had been teaching on faith. One of the verses I had stressed repeatedly was Mark 11:22, "Have faith in God." I had told the ladies that our faith is to be in God...period....not in what God is going to do; not in how my situation is going to turn out; not in whether my prayers are answered or not...but faith in God period!

I stated to the ladies that the most important thing about faith is not how much we have, but what our faith is in. In other words, the object of our faith is critical. For three weeks in a row, I had put two chairs in the middle of the floor. I pointed to the two, telling them that, if one of the chairs were defective underneath, then it wouldn't matter how much faith I had in the chair. The ability of the chair to hold me up would be defective...and the rest would be history.

Little did I know that I was going to live out my lesson shortly, as I sat down in a chair on my deck...a chair that I had trusted for 4 or 5 years...a chair that had always held me up. I plopped down in my chair and received the shock of my life, as the vinyl straps snapped and I fell through the bottom of it with a jolt! It didn't matter how much faith I had in that chair, because the object of my faith was defective!

Picking myself up, I realized a valuable lesson. Everything on this earth that we are trusting in will one day fail. It may work for years and years, but eventually it is bound for failure, because everything on earth weakens, decays, and breaks. Therefore, I had better be trusting in God alone! He should be the object of my faith! He is the only One and the only thing that will never fail! "Have faith in God!"

..........My husband and I are leaving for Destin in the morning and He will be there until Oct 4th. The P.H. girls will all be coming down on the 4th and we will stay until the 9th. We are really looking forward to a powerful move of God. We begin each day with the girls going to the beach and spending a couple of hours alone with the Lord. We all meet back in the condo at 9 and share what God has spoken to us or dealt with us about. Usually, that lasts about 2 or 3 hours. Then, we eat lunch and the girls have free time until 5. We eat and then have the rest of the night for whatever the Lord wants to do. It is always powerful! God always shows up and shows out There is hardly anybody at the beach right now, so we pretty much have the beach and the pool to ourselves. We have an awesome, spiritual time that the girls never forget! Most of them spend all day in the Word, listening to CD sermons and music, etc.

You're being stalked! Day and night! 365 days a year! You're being stalked! The FWD team is after you! Fear, worry and doubt are hot on your trail to harass you, handcuff you, and lead you around like a whipped puppy dog! Are you just going to cower down and hold out your hands for the cuffs to be put on?

Absolutely not! You're going to do just what you would do if you were being stalked physically! Go to the authorities and put out a restraining order! Get up out of your mulligrubs, go to the Lord Jesus Christ, get in His holy Word, and read what He says about your stalkers. Then, go to them....fear, worry, doubt....and read the restraining order. Tell them, "Jesus is my Jehovah Jireh. Jesus is my Jehovah Rapha. Jesus is my Jehovah Nissi. Jesus is my El Shaddai. Jesus is my El Elyon. Jesus is my Adonai. Jesus is my Jehoveh Roi. Jesus is my Jehovah Tsidkenu. Jesus is my Jehovah Shammah. I have no reason to fear, to worry, or to doubt. Get lost!"

..........Stacie is still down in Pelham. She is looking for a job until we can get a Potter's House started down there. Right now, we are at a standstill, but hopefully things will start moving soon. It is completely up to the Lord. If He wants a P.H. in Pelham, then we will have one. And, if He doesn't, we won't. We will make the necessary steps as He directs, not as we want.

..........It seems that the Lord is refining and defining our ministry more clearly each day! My burden is for the Lord to use the P.H. to make a difference in multitudes of lives, not just those that are part of the P.H., but in the lives of all those sitting in churches who need stirring and refiring! We are asking God to make us a breath of fresh air everywhere we go, to help stale Christians get back on track again, to stir people's hearts for a closer walk with Him. Our ministry is not just to help those who come to us, but to be a blessing to all those who hear our testimonies and see firsthand the power of God to change lives radically today!

Stir up a glass of clear water that has mud in the bottom of the glass. Guess what you'll get? Muddy water! Stir up a glass of clear, pure water with nothing else in it and there will be no change whatsoever. That's because you cannot stir up what is not already there!

Remember this the next time you get angry or upset and want to blame someone else. You cannot stir up something unless it was there in the first place. The guy who pulled out in front of you in his car wasn't to blame for your anger. He simply stirred up what was already lying dormant in you!

..........Our Stefani is pregnant! She and Josh have been trying for a few years to get pregnant. They went through the tests, the ovulation timing, etc. They have even helped start a class at church, called Plus One, for those who have fertility issues. She turned everything over to God a while back and told Him she was happy with whatever He decided for her and Josh. She quit trying and started trusting God for His will in her life, even if that meant never having a baby. And look what happened! Isn't that the way God always works?

At death's door! That's where her daughter was! Can't you just see her...holding her precious daughter in her arms...waiting anxiously...looking out the window, hoping any time to see Jairus coming back with Jesus? The only thing on Mrs. Jairus' mind that day was getting her dying daughter to the only hope in the world, the Lord Jesus Christ!

And can you just imagine some long-tongued busy-body coming over that day and saying, "Mrs. Jairus, have you heard what's going on down at the house of God? Do you know what that preacher had the audacity to do?" Mrs. Jairus would have responded quickly, "Look. My daughter is dying. I'm not interested in discussing the problems going on down at the house of God. The problem is at MY house! MY house is the one in need of Jesus!"

Well, dear one, today we have a lot of sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles lying at the point of death...spiritual death! Once again we need somebody to go after the Lord and bring Him to OUR house! Sure, there may be lots of things going on down at the house of God. But, if we get our minds off the gossip and onto our lost loved ones, we won't have the time or the interest to be listening to the Ms. Long-Tongues that are always busy hunting a listening ear. We'll have our minds on one thing and one thing only....getting the dying ones to Christ before it's too late.

..........The yard sale went well, even though it rained. Thank you, Jan Kelley and all the others, for loving us and wanting to do something to help us. We appreciate all the hard work and the hours you put into this! And we will certainly use the $740 to make an eternal difference in many lives! God bless you all....our precious sisters in Christ! We love you!

..........Have a wonderful week, all of you! Let's get our minds on eternal things, not on things on the earth. Let's wake up and call America back to her knees before our God! Remember: if we, God's people, will humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways......He has promised that He WILL heal our land!

It wasn't in the sunlight that the Apostle John received the visions of his Redeemer and wrote the book of the Revelation. Rather, it was on the Isle of Patmos....exiled because of his faith, alone, old, forgotten. What appeared to be a deep, dark night of the soul was actually a rich blessing!

It wasn't in the sunlight that Joseph became second in command over all of Egypt and was able to save his entire family from starvation. Rather, it was in the deep, dark night of his soul....sold into slavery by his own brothers, taken to a foreign country, falsely accused and imprisoned. What appeared to be a deep, dark night of the soul was actually a rich blessing to many.

It wasn't in the sunlight that Jacob's name was changed to Israel. Rather, it was during a dark period in his life, when he was preparing to face his brother, Esau, who at one time had wanted to kill him. During this night in his life, Jacob wrestled with an angel and prevailed and his name was changed from Jacob, which means supplanter or deceiver, to "Israel," which means prince. His deep, dark night of his soul was actually a blessing.

Today, dear one, perhaps you are in a deep, dark night of your soul. There seems to be no way out...no light at the end of the tunnel...no hope. This "Isle of Patmos" in your life could be one of the greatest blessings you have ever received! Just look up. You may see many stars of promise that were never visible in the brightness of the good times in your life!

..........Lisa is already packed and ready to come home, even though they are not coming until tomorrow. She has had a great time, but she is ready to get back to her girls. She has given out several of our DVD's and has showed our before and after back to a lot of people.

..........Our yard sale is today! Jan Kelley is having the yard sale for us at the Potter's House. She did it last year and is doing it again this year. Even though it is cloudy, we are going ahead with it. Jan is at the house if any of you would like to come and check out what we have. We have received so much stuff to sell.

Peter stepped out of the boat with confidence. Jesus had said to him, "Come," and that was all Peter needed...just one word from his Lord. He wasn't really stepping out on the water. He was stepping out on the Word. He wasn't thinking about the circumstances...the high winds and huge waves. He wasn't thinking about the impossibility. All he was thinking about was that his Master said, "Come" and that's exactly what he did!

However, once he stepped out of his comfort zone, out of the security of the vessel, he began to look at the circumstances and they looked ferocious. Recognizing the utter impossibility of his situation, he was suddenly overcome with fear and doubt. And he started to sink! He now found himself being overcome by the very things he was walking on top of just a few minutes before.

Perhaps today, dear one, fierce winds of adversity are blowing in your life. You want Jesus to calm the winds and still the waves, so you can stay in your comfortable little boat of life. However, He is not speaking to the storm. He is speaking to you! He wants to see how much you really believe Him. He wants you to, "Come." So, are you going to sit in fear and doubt....or are you going to step out into your storm on the Word of the Lord and believe Him no matter what?

..........WOW! Lisa is headed for Louisville, Ky. for the National Quartet Convention. She was invited by one of our P.H. graduates, Tonya Thompson, whose husband, Daniel, sings in the group, "Higher Hope." And she was also invited by one of our dear P.H. friends, Susan Handley, who has just recently released her album. Tonya and Susan said that they got to eat and go bowling with some of the people last year. They get to interact with many of the singers, like Jason Crabb and Guy Penrod, for example.

..........Lisa is taking several DVD's of our ministry; newsletters, the Before and After Book; a couple of my books, "Even Weeds Have Flower"; and several business cards. She really hopes to talk to Gloria Gaither and tell her all about the P.H. She has a portable DVD player and plans on showing the DVD to as many as she can and telling them about our ministry.

Ordinary. That's what most days are. They're just ordinary. We get up as usual and go through the same routine, doing the same things in the same way as we have been doing them for years. Most days, we are not even expecting anything any different. We kind of settle into a twilight sleep and just go through the motions mechanically.

Well, today let's break out of the ordinary! Let's expect the extraordinary! Let's look for God to show up on the scene today and show Himself strong in our behalf, as we give our hearts fully to Him! Let's look for opportunities to speak in His behalf! Let's watch for ways we can be a blessing and a help to others! Let's be aware of the people and situations around us that we need to bring before God's throne.

..........Tomorrow, we will be going to Ingleside Baptist Church in Macon. Dara is the first speaker for a women's conference that will last from 9:30 until 4:00. She will also be doing her interpretive dance. She has asked us to come and give a presentation about the P.H. We will be showing our video and providing information to the leaders of the women's ministry there. We are praying that this will be another open door for us.

..........Julie is back from her parent's home and has moved into the Hannah House. She will be looking for a job. She has her dental hygiene license and has been practicing for years. If you know of any dentists around the area who need a hygienist, please let us know.

..........We are already praying for another house. We are full in both houses. There is a house that is only 1/3 of a mile from the P.H., on the same street, that is for sale by owner. It has 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, and almost 10 acres. It would be a great location and size for us...but we don't know what God's will is in this matter yet. We are just asking you to pray with us about what the Lord wants us to do at this point. He is the Door Opener and the Door Closer. Whatever He wants to do is fine with us!

He was caught! Frantically, he tried over and over to escape, only to no avail. Stef was outside taking pictures of Mary Edith yesterday when they heard him. He was just a little hummingbird, hopelessly caught in a huge spider web that was in the palm tree. And the big spider was actually headed toward his captive when the girls spotted the bird and rescued him. The web had him all entangled so that he could not fly. However, as you can guess, they freed him and he flew off.

Isn't that so like us? We often get entangled in the devil's web and can't seem to escape. The more we flail and beat, the more entangled we become. It's only as we get so tired that we quit fighting that our Father steps in and rescues us. He plucks us out of the net just in time and gently removes all the entangling "stuff" and frees us. And, like the bird, we often fly off without so much as a "Thank You."

Have you been entangled in the devil's web lately? If so, the Father wants to set you free. Why don't you run into His arms, get in His Word, spend time in prayer, and quit fighting and struggling. Just give up...not to despair, but to Jesus...and let Him set you free. And don't forget to thank Him with all your heart when He does!

..........Julie has been at her parent's home since her graduation. She will be flying back in this morning and starting into second phase. We have 4 ladies at the P.H. and 4 ladies at the H.H. All our beds are taken right now, so we will soon be needing another second phase home.

..........For all of you who get the newsletter, my printer is not working, so I cannot print the newsletters yet. Dick Elzie is coming over today to see if he can figure out the problem. The problem is not with the printer...it is with the connection. It won't connect with the computer. I love this modern technology, but I know nothing about how to operate it.

..........I love you all and thank God for you. The Lord continues to provide every need we have, thanks to all of you precious folks. He sends in all we need to pay our bills and to even get many of the things that we don't necessarily have to have, but that we want. Since day 1 of the P.H., we have never been late on one single bill. Our Father continues to amply provide for us through all of you and for this, we will be eternally grateful to all of you. We love all of you!

He was not a slacker! In fact, he was a real soldier. But, even good soldiers get weary! David had grown faint and fatigued in the battle against the Philistines. As you might expect, that's exactly when Ishbibenob, one of the sons of the giant, attacked. He came on strong when David was weak. Without help, David would more than likely suffer a great defeat! And that's when Abishai, whose name means "source of wealth" came to David's aid. He succored King David and smote te Philistine giant!

Christian soldier, perhaps you're tired in the battle! And Ishbibenob has come on strong, even threatening to slay your spiritual life! You are in no shape to take Ishbibenob on. You're teetering on the brink of a great defeat! You need succor, protection, strength, courage, and a fresh hope!

Well, I've got good news! Your "Abishai," your "source of wealth" is here, ready to smite the giant that is threatening you. Just cry out to Him with all your heart. Run to Him for strength, for protection, for courage, for hope! Quit looking at Ishbibenob and start looking at your Abishai! Trust Him! Do not fear; Abishai is near!

..........God is really moving at the P.H. Stefani has been invited to speak in a church in Texas. They are paying her travel expenses. She will be giving her testimony. They have expressed an interest in a Potter's House in their town. I will give more details later.

..........Lisa Hensley has been invited to the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky on Sept. 15-18. She will be going with Daniel and Tonya Thompson, as he sings with New Hope, and with Susan Handley, who sings on her own. Lisa will get a chance to sit down with the Gaithers and all of the others who are there. She is going to carry lots of info on the P.H. and will be talking to all of them about our ministry. We don't know if anything will come of this, but we will certainly be praying that God will set in motion anything that He desires for us. She is so excited that she will get a chance to share with these folks all that God has done in her life!

"Consider the lilies..." An antidote to worry and fear! Haven't we Americans forgotten to "consider the lilies?" We traffic so much in a concrete jungle that most of our considering is on things made by man. Well, we need to put everything aside, get out in the open air where we can see what God made, and consider His awesomeness!

Why not go out tonight and just gaze into space...at the stars? That'll do something to you...especially when you consider how far away those stars are! Say, for instance, that a particular star you are looking at is 5,000 light years away. That means that the light that left that star, travelling at the speed of 186,000 miles per second, took 5,000 years to reach earth. So, the star you are seeing is actually the light that left 5,000 years ago and has just now arrived. Then, you are actually looking at eternity past! You are seeing 5,000 years ago! Wow!

When we take in the vastness of the universe, we begin to realize how very tiny we are and how small our little bitty problems are to such a great God! If we can trust Him to keep a universe in good working order, and we "consider the lilies," then what do we have to worry about?

Let's lay our problems at His feet today and trust Him with all our hearts! Let's consider how our God takes care of this huge universe and how He takes care of something like lilies with such tender care and precision. And we can know He will take care of us! Consider Him!

..........We are back from Pelham, from meeting with Pastor Doug. We are ready to take the next step, which will be zoning. We are all so excited about a Potter's House in Pelham. Pastor Doug said that we lit a fire down there when we gave our testimonies. Everybody in the whole town is talking about it. The Lion's Club and the Rotary Club are wanting us to speak to them. Also, some of the churches have already expressed the desire for us to come and give our testimonies to them. It's more than my mind can comprehend that there could be a P.H. in my home town. I have no words to express how I feel. We need lots of prayer about this. There will be many details to work out! I will keep you informed!

..........Betty has moved in with Lisa. Betty will remain as our food co-ordinator and our birthday and graduation co-ordinator. She will also help with transportation and other things as we need her. She is such a blessing to us at the P.H. We love Betty and thank God for her sweet, helpful, precious attitude!

Worrying? Doubting? Fearing? Looking for an answer to a problem in your life? Looking for a way to take care of the circumstances you are facing? Well, friend, look no further! Quit looking for an answer! Quit looking for a way to handle it. You don't need an answer. You need Him! He IS the answer to every problem! It's not an answer you need.....it's THE answer...and that answer is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Just get in His presence and spend time alone with Him. Quit focusing on your problem and instead focus on Him alone. And, you will be pleasantly surprised. Whatever problem you had will melt in His presence. He will take care of everything in His time, in His way, in His power. And He will handle it without your fretting and worrying and fixing. In fact, He will often do it without your even being aware of what He is doing.

..........Jennifer and Missy both have had interviews at Taco Bell, where Wendi works. The manager told Wendi he would probably hire anyone she recommended, because she is such a good worker. Once they both start work, we will move toward getting them a place together so they can get their daughters back.

..........Julie is with her parents until June 9. She is helping get things arranged for her dad, who is in his 90's. They have placed him in an assisted living home. Julie will be coming back to the Hannah House for second phase. Julie is a dental hygienist...and has started volunteering every Friday with Dr. Durham, the dentist who does a lot of dental work on our girls. Every Friday, he takes our girls that need to go...Julie cleans their teeth...and Dr. Durham decides what needs to be done to fix their mouths. It is so awesome! Julie wants to continue doing this.

..........Yea! Doreen Elliott, from Bethel United Methodist Church, has been working on some things to help us. On September 12, we have some men from their church coming out to fix our deck and to fix closets downstairs in the laundry room. We are so, so, so excited. Our deck has not been safe ever since we moved in...and we haven't been able to use it like we would like. And, we have needed closets ever since we moved in. We thank God for Doreen and for the Lord placing it on her heart to help us.

This is interesting...from Watchman Nee. "Each time a trial of faith comes our way, we should understand that it is not we who are being proven, but the Lord. When our faith is being proven, it is actually the Son of God who is being proven; it is God's faithfulness and not you that is being tested. Whatever trial descends on you, it is to test what Christ can do for you---if you let Him.

When I first read this, I didn't get it. It just didn't sound right. But, then I have reread this and it makes so much sense. The way God shows the world who He is happens through our trials. It is God's chance to prove to the world His reality, His ability, His power, His faithfulness...in other words, who He is...if we will yield to Him, rejoice in the trial and in what God wants to do through it, and allow Him to accomplish His will through us.

Wow! This puts a whole different perspective on trials. It's about God...not about me! It's about His will being done...not mine! It's about a chance to show who God really is...not about me being in the midst of something I am having to endure. So, let's eagerly await our trials and rejoice in the midst of them, knowing that God is using me to show forth His glory!

..........Wednesday morning, I had the privilege of speaking to the Legacy Group luncheon at Eagle's Landing. I was so excited to hear that Sandy Elzie has received a copy of the book she has written. It will be in Barnes and Noble in October. It is called "Diplomatic Tutor." It is the first in a series of 4 Christian romance novels. Amazon books has published the first one and will be publishing the others also. She told the Lord that she will always give a portion of what she makes to the P.H. Pray that the books will sell off the shelves!

You know, it's not about us, not about our plans, not about our programs, not about our own goals. It's all about the Lord; about His plans, His desires, and His will. He is looking for someone who can say, "Not my will but Thine be done." He is looking for some AMFB's.

What are you today? Are you about your Father's business? Or you about your own business? Years ago, the Lord laid on my heart that if I would tend to His heavenly business, He would take care of my earthly business. And wow, can He ever take care of my earthly business! Why would I ever want to tend to my own stuff when God, the Creator of the universe, wants to take care of it for me?

..........Lisa has gone to the mountains until Sunday for a mini-retreat. She wants to spend some time alone with the Lord. She certainly deserves it, as she is with all the girls 24/7. We are praying for a spiritual renewal in her heart..and that she will come back on fire for God and spill it out on us!

..........Stacie will be taking over at the P.H. while Lisa is gone. This is part of her training to be a housemother in Pelham, when we get the P.H. down there. Please continue to pray about this, for there are many needs that we are facing and we are praying and believing God to meet all these needs in whatever way He sees fit.

Three different men had a desire to follow the Lord, but they all had second thoughts when they heard His uncompromising words. They all said they wanted to follow, but two of them added the words, 'but first." In other words, they had something else to tend to before they would be able to follow Jesus.

Jesus answered them by saying, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Luke 9:62 He let them know that following Him involves a cost and a "but first" attitude is completely unacceptable. In order to follow Christ, one must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow...just now!

Today, dear one, perhaps you are like one of the three fellows. You really do want to follow the Lord just now; however, there is a "but first" in your life. There is something you are not willing to let go of yet, something holding you back from fully surrendering to Him. You intend to surrender totally....."but first."

That's really dangerous, you know, because one day your "but first" will be your last. Do you want to be fit for the kingdom of God? Well, surrender everything to Him today, put your hand to the plough...and don't look back. Give up your "but first" for a "just now!"

..........What a surprise I had Saturday. Lisa had planned a surprise birthday party for me at the P.H. The girls went all out. We had tons of food, gospel music, interpretive dance, lots of laughter and fellowship. I have never gotten that many presents in all my life. There were over a hundred people present. I was completely shocked...in fact, I think I was in a daze for a little while. I just never in a million years expected anything like that. It was the first surprise birthday party I have ever had, where lots of people were invited. Also, Josh and Stef made a video for me, starting when I was a baby. I will cherish this video forever! Thank all of you for one of the most wonderful days I have ever had in my life!

..........We had 7 girls from the P.H. to get baptized last night. Yesterday, August 16, was my actual birthday and they wanted to get baptized on my birthday. That will always be a special day to me, too...in my memory forever and ever! I am so proud of all these ladies. We've got a lot of new ladies...and they are awesome!

Well, friend, there is a Hand stretched out to you; a Hand, with a wound in the palm of it. That precious Hand was pierced for you. That precious Hand willingly stretched itself out on an old rugged cross in order to save you. That Hand today is reaching out to you.

Why don't you put your hand in His Hand, just as a small child would put its little hand in the hand of its Father when getting ready to cross a busy street. That little child doesn't worry about oncoming traffic. That little child isn't thinking about any danger. That little child isn't rehearsing all the "what ifs" of crossing the street. He just simply puts his hand into his Father's hand and trusts him to get him safely across.

..........I received an e-mail from Janessa, who was at the P.H. over a year ago. She said she is doing excellent. She continues to read her Bible every morning. She is in her second year of nursing school and is leading the worship at her church. She hopes to come visit, as she says she gets kind of home sick when she looks at the pictures of us! We are very proud of you, Janessa.

..........Last night, our friends from the Legacy Group came. As always, we had an awesome time. We love all of you so much and thank God for you. You are part of our hearts and will be part of our lives forever! You are helping make an eternal difference in so, so many lives!

Breathing. It's vital to our physical lives! We breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. And we do this all day long without even giving it any thought. It's just natural. The head is corresponding all the time with the lungs and with everything that participates in our breathing process, telling it all what to do.

Likewise, we need to practice spiritual breathing. We should breathe in a promise and breathe out a prayer. The Bible says to "pray without ceasing." We should be so aware of God's presence and so controlled by the "Head" that breathing in and out spiritually should occur without our even thinking about it. It should become natural!

It's kind of like this. A very young child is "Mother" conscious. Without thinking about it, he is always aware of his Mother. He can play contentedly and be amused in his little play world; yet, when his mother walks out of the room, he is intensly aware of it and starts to cry. He is always "Mother" conscious.

Dear one, are you "God" conscious? Do you, like a little child, become immediately aware of slipping out of His presence? And does it really bother you? If you're like me, as Brother Lawrence said, I want to learn to "practice the presence of Jesus." I want to start breathing in promises and breathing out prayers. Inhale a promise! Exhale a prayer! That's good theology!

..........Gwen graduates tonight. She will be going home to Alabama with her husband and daughter. She is very excited but Gwen also is sad. She so desperately wants to live near us. Her husband, John, has already put their 27 acres up for sale in Alabama and they are planning on moving back here when it sells. Pray for this, because Gwen can hardly stand the thought of living away from us. She gets really torn up every time she talks about leaving. We are proud of Gwen and we are really going to miss her.

..........Tomorrow, we will be going to Pelham. We are asking God to use us in a powerful way. We are praying for His anointing to rest upon us and to use us to stir up Pelham for God! We are praying for and expecting a mighty move of God. We are praying that Pelham will never be the same!

"Thou!" Who? "Thou!" This means God, Almighty God, all powerful, all knowing, all present God! This means the One who just spoke and the universe came into being. This means the One who parted the Red Sea, gave a bunch of lions lockjaw, healed lepers, and raised the dead! This is the "Thou" we are talking about.

"Will." "Thou will." This means that the Almighty God, the Creator, "will." Not might, not perhaps, but will! "Thou will keep." OK. This means that this awesome God will, not might, keep. And what will He keep? "Thou will keep him in perfect peace..." Wow! We're talking about the Most High God keeping him in perfect peace. Not partial peace. Not a pretty good bit of peace. Perfect peace! That's how He will keep him.

"Whose mind is stayed upon Thee." So, the him we are discussing is the one whose mind is stayed upon the Almighty God. It's the him who has set his affections on things above, not on things on the earth. It's the him who is dedicated and consecrated to the Most High. It is the him who has placed his mind, his thoughts, his affections, his attention upon God. And not only has he placed them there...his mind is stayed. The place you stay means the place you live. So, in other words, this him lives in God's presence. That's where he dwells. That's where you will find his mind if you go looking for it.

"Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed upon Thee." Isaiah 26:3 Such a short verse...yet so powerful. Are you troubled today? Does your soul feel like the restless sea, whose waters cast up mire and dirt? Is your life filled with unending drama. If so, friend, take heed to God's Word. Pack the bags of your mind and change addresses. You are living in the wrong place in your mind!

..........Please excuse the error. I had written that Tanya's husband prayed to receive Christ. It was Janie's boyfriend. Tanya was excited, however, because she had really been praying for her husband and was very unsettled about his salvation. She is taking this as God's way of giving her hope. I knew exactly who got saved and what happened...and for some reason, wrote down the wrong information. It's like I wasn't thinking. I'm so glad that the Lord knows what He is doing...I sure don't. I'm glad He is in charge and can even allow us to mess up in order to get His message across.

..........We had a surprise graduation for Jennifer last night. Her actual graduation day is tomorrow, but we wanted to surprise her, since Gwen's graduation is also tomorrow night. Jennifer is joining our staff. The Lord has laid on her heart to begin a ministry to our graduates. This is so needed. Lisa and I have so much going on that we just cannot minister to those who have gone on. Jennifer is going to call, text, write, etc. and keep all the graduates accountable. She will be collecting info for our "Still Standing" page on the website. She will be planning spend-the-night parties for the graduates. She will be keeping up with their birthdays, etc. Jennifer joined us yesterday in our weekly staff meeting on Wednesdays. That's when we are planning together and praying together about our needs and about the direction the Lord is taking us. We are excited to have Jennifer on board.

"Be not afraid. Only believe." Simple words. Powerful words. Too good to be true words. Yet they were words spoken by Jesus Christ Himself! He spoke them to Jairus, one of the rulers of the synagogue. Jairus had come to Jesus, falling at His feet, and beseeching the Lord to come and lay His hands on his daughter that she would be healed and would live. For you see, Jairus' daughter was at the point of death and Jesus was the only hope!

As Jesus made His way to Jairus' house, He stopped to heal a woman with an issue of blood. And, by this time, some came with the news that Jairus' daughter was already dead and there was no use for Jesus to come. That's when He looked at Jairus and said, "Be not afraid. Only believe."

You know the rest of the story! Jesus told the people that she wasn't dead...she was only sleeping. And if Jesus said she wasn't dead, then she wasn't dead. It didn't matter if rigor mortis had set in. It didn't matter how many doctors had pronounced her dead. Jesus said she wasn't dead...and His Word always overrides everything else, including death! And so she lived!

What about you today, dear one? Is there an impossible situation in your life? Has Jesus tarried in answering you and your hopes have already died? Has rigor mortis set in on your situation? Well, friend, maybe it's time you quit looking and started listening. Be still! Get in God's presence. Perhaps you might hear, "Be not afraid. Only believe." Simple words! Powerful words! Too good to be true words! But....they are for you too, my friend!

..........Our Amy! She has been with us for three years now! But, she will be leaving us soon. Sunday night, at the altar, Randy proposed to her. He had asked her dad for her hand in marriage and had spoken with others in her family. We all knew that he was going to propose after they got up from the altar...but she didn't know it. It was a powerful moment! We are all so excited for them. Randy loves the Lord with all his heart. He is very expressive of his love and devotion for Jesus Christ. This relationship has been based solely on the Lord and we know that God is going to use this home powerfully for His kingdom. We love you, Amy and Randy. Wow....Lisa and I keep getting more sons-in-laws!

..........Cedar Rock ladies came last night. We had such a wonderful time with them. Cedar Rock has faithfully supported us every month for about 4 years now. We love and appreciate these precious folks so much! The P.H. would not be in existence without Cedar Rock and the other churches and ladies' groups and individuals that so faithfully continue to help provide all our needs! We love you, Cedar Rock!

Jonathan Edwards, a man mightily used of God in the 1700's in the Great Awakening, wrote the following. He described his consecration to God in a diary entry, which reads, "Saturday, Jan. 12, 1723. In the morning, I have been before God, and have given myself, all that I am and have, to God; so that I am not, in any respect, my own. I can challenge no right in this understanding, this will, these affections, which are in me. Neither have I any right to this body, or any of its members---no right to this tongue, these hands, these feet; no right to these senses, these eyes, these ears, this smell, or this taste.

I have given myself clear away, and have not retained any thing as my own. I have been this morning to Him, and told Him that I gave myself wholly to Him. I have given every power to Him; so that, in the future, I'll challenge no right in myself, in no respect whatever. I have this morning told Him that I did take Him for my whole portion and felicity, looking on nothing else as any part of my happiness, nor acting as if it were; and take His law, for the constant rule of my obedience; and would fight with all my might against the world, the flesh, and the devil, to the end of my life; and that I did believe in Jesus Christ, and did receive Him as a Prince and Savior; and that I would adhere to the faith and obedience of the gospel, however hazardous and difficult the confession and practice of it may be."

Jonathan Edwards preached the famous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." Thousands upon thousands of people have been saved through the years through this one sermon. Grown men and women would literally weep and grab hold of anything solid in churches when Edwards would preach this sermon...they would say the floor was sinking from under them and they felt themselves dropping into hell. They would then get saved.

..........Lisa, who graduated about a year ago and has been in second phase, has found a house and will be moving out of the Hannah House soon. The house is about 10 years old and sits on 3.4 acres. It is a foreclosure, but is in very good shape. I will send pictures later. We are so excited for Lisa, but we sure do hate to see her move. She is one of those who came through the P.H. that has never, not even one time, done anything she shouldn't do. We have never one time had to correct her for anything. She just does right! She has been a wonderful blessing to our ministry. And her parents, Big Foot and Martha, have helped us in so many ways: financially, with food, and with their service. We are indeed very grateful to this whole family!

Yesterday! Quite an awesome day for all of us at the P.H. We had a visit from the Secretary of State of Georgia, Karen Handel. Karen and Sarah Beth Thompson, who works with Karen, came to the Hannah House and then on to the P.H. Karen is a devout Christian and is not afraid to share her faith. She was such a blessing to all the ladies at the P.H. The girls all said that they would never have dreamed in a million years that they would be sitting in the same room with the Secretary of State, sharing their lives with her. She is so down to earth and made each of them feel so comfortable and loved and important!

Karen shared her life with us, telling us where she came from and how she has overcome many things to get where she is today. Her message was a powerful, inspiring message of hope, a message that our ladies will never forget! One of the thngs she said that hit home with all of them is that God is the only One who defines who we are! Therefore, it really doesn't matter what anyone says about us...because we get our identity from the Lord!

Karen was very excited when we invited her back. In fact, she is planning on coming and spending the night with the girls in the near future. She was moved to tears by our new video. Our newest lady Janie, was sitting beside Karen as the video was playing. Janie started crying and Karen reached over and took her hand the whole time the video was on.

Climbing! Want to go climbing? Well, not to the top of Mt. Everest or even to the top of a mountain! But to God Himself. I'm talking about spiritual, not physical climbing. And there's a world of difference between the two. One is accomplished by going up. The other is accomplished by going down. Listen to these words by Oswald Chambers.

"Climbing in the Spirit is accomplished by kneeling and not by running; by surrender and not by determination. Despair of self leads to utter desperation; but beyond these mists lies the sunshine of God's presence. Many a soul will turn back to accustomed marshlands of defeat rather than brave the fogs of frustration; but the mountain peaks rise high above the rain and gloom.

This is the pattern of the crisis of the deeper life. First, there is a hunger of heart, often followed by a sense of desperation that leads to utter surrender of self. Thereafter, there is the meeting of the soul with God in whatever manner the Almighty is pleased to reveal Himself to the desperate seeker who, like Jacob at Jabbok, will not let Him go until there is blessing."

Want to get so close to the Lord God that you can almost feel His breath? Well, here's the climb! (1) Ask God for an insatiable hunger of heart. (2) Ask the Lord for desperation in your life. (3) Surrender your self and everything that is associated with the "me" in you. (4) Seek His face and don't let Him go until He shows Himself to you. Let's go climbing!

..........We had a great time last night with the ladies from Rock Springs. Dara did two of her "Just for Jehovah" dances. We watched the video of the Potter's House. And some of our new ladies gave their testimonies. We enjoyed a great meal. It was casserole night. And we enjoyed the fellowship and sharing with one another. We love all the ladies from Rock Springs and thank God for their love and support for us!

..........Our God is so awesome! Through all of you, He is abundantly supplying all our needs and even many of our wants. Because of your generosity, we have been able to spruce up the P.H. We have been in the house for two years now and, with so many women using everything daily, it was time for some repairs and some sprucing up. David has painted all the outside windows and doors. He and Gwen pressure washed the house. He has permanently fixed all the drawers on the beds in the Esther Room. He has fixed the dining room ceiling, the Esther Room ceiling, the wall in the hallway, etc., etc., etc. He painted the downstairs bathroom and the small bathroom upstairs. The downstairs bathroom has been completely decorated (which had never been done) and it is beautiful. You won't recognize it. We have redone the dining room, as some of the plates and decor had gotten broken. We have added some new pictures and plants. It is really, really looking great!

"Perhaps you are in a very difficult place right now. All is dark around you. The winds of adversity are raging furiously. You are filled with doubts and uncertainty about your future. If this describes your life, it would be good to follow this advice given by Andrew Murray, a great saint of years gone by.

..........Wendi recently went to Griffin Tech. She is planning on getting her GED, as she only went to 7th grade in school. She took all the pretests and scored much higher in reading than they anticipated. They were very pleased and she will be in a much higher level than they originally thought.

..........The youth from Bethel United Methodist Church came out yesterday and did a lot of yard work. We always love having these young people come. Our ladies get a chance to give them their testimonies. We always pray that what they say may divert a life from destruction.

Money. Jobs. Bills. Relationships. What others think. Material things. Health. The future. Our children. These are just a few of the things that consume much of our thinking time, filling and stuffing our minds with a lot of "what ifs." We dream up all kinds of elaborate ways to handle problems and get so strung out in the future that we forget much of what we have learned as followers of Christ.

Instead of looking at things from our perspective. it's high time we start seeing things from God's perspective. We need to re-evaluate all those things that we fret over and ask ourselves, "What will this matter 500 years from now, or even 100 years from now? Will it be important any more? After I am in eternity for a million years, will I even remember this? How will I view this minor problem that is happening right now in this little dot of time after a few thousand years in heaven?

Today, let's get our faithful, reliable guide, the Bible, "Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth," and see what it has to say about the matter. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Be, therefore, not anxious about tomorrow; for tomorrow will be anxious for the things of itself." In other words, let's get our focus on the Lord and on heavenly things. Let's seek His kingdom and His righteousness. Let's tend to His heavenly business...and guess what? He will take care of our earthly business!

..........We are getting another new lady today. This is our last bed. In the history of the P.H., we have never had so many calls coming in for help as we have these last couple of weeks. It breaks my heart not to be able to help everybody. We have had some really desperate calls...suicide, etc. and I just feel like if all these ladies out there could come to the P.H., they would be all right. And besides these ladies, we have several that want to stay for second phase and we have only one bed left at the P.H. and one left at the H.H. Please pray for God's direction for our ministry.

..........Gwen's husband, John, came from Alabama Tuesday to help us. He bought some things we needed. He also measured the downstairs area under the deck. He wants to screen it in so the girls can enjoy sitting down there without all the flies coming around. He is planning on selling their house in Alabama, because he wants to move to High Falls and be close to the P.H. and to Rock Springs. Gwen is so excited.

..........Dara is so excited. She had a great response Sunday night, as she had the whole service at Carver Road Baptist Church. She has now been invited to speak at a women's conference at Ingleside Baptist Church in Macon on Spetember 12. It is a really large church. She wants to show the P.H. video and introduce us because we are such a vital part of her testimony. I am so excited to see all that the Lord is doing in Dara's life. What a blessing!

Lisa had a powerful devotion with the girls this morning and I would like to share it with you. She told them that she had a test for them, a final exam, and gave them each a test paper. She told them not to turn it over until she told them to. Then, she told them that she and I had talked and had decided on some things to determine who was serious and should remain at the P.H. She said that, in order for them to remain at the P.H., they must score 100% on the test. They could not miss even one single question.

Then, she had them to turn the test page over and take the test. However, all the answers were already filled in. Written at the bottom was congratulations on scoring 100% on the test. She said, "The creator of the test took if for you." You have just experienced grace. All the girls just broke up crying.

Wow! I don't think any of the girls will ever forget this lesson. What a powerful visual! Our Creator has told us that the entrance to heaven would be a perfect life...not even one sin on our account. Then, the Creator came down and lived the perfect life for us. He filled in all the blanks. He took the test and He scored 100%. All we had to do was turn the test page over and receive what He had already done for us. We are recipients of His amazing grace! GRACE God's Riches At Christ's Expense!

..........Wow! What a day yesterday! Josh and Stefani have been working on a DVD for the P.H. They finished it Tuesday night and we all listened to it yesterday afternoon. It broke the whole house up. The girls were just broken and weeping after it was over. Jennifer got up, just weeping profusely with gratitude for where the Lord has brought her from and where He has brought her to. She was so overwhelmed that she could hardly speak. We all got up and got in the middle of the floor with her and just wept and prayed together with joy for all that the Lord has done. Then, we watched the video again. Later, two ladies came by the house with donations and they watched the video. One of them asked if we were going to sell it. She wants 4 copies. She wants to take it to two deputies....they are involved in the D.A.R.E. program and she thinks they might use this in the schools. Also, she has two churches she wants to give it to. It is one of the most powerful videos you will ever see.

This morning, I am borrowing Lisa's devotional that she had with the ladies at 7. You can take a glass, stuff a paper towel in the bottom of the glass, and submerge it in water. Push it straight down, not tilting it to the right or the left. Then pull the glass out and the paper towel will be dry. Then, put the glass back down into the water and tilt it. Bubbles will come out and water will go in. Soon, the paper towel will be soaked.

That's us! If we walk the straight and narrow path, the world cannot get in. As long as we keep our eyes on Jesus, looking to and obeying Him, and walking in His ways, our paper towel of holiness and righeousness will stay dry. But, if we look to the left or the right, even if we tilt slightly either way, the world will start comnig in. And, eventually, our paper towel of holiness and righteousness will be soaked by the world.

We can be in the world, as the straight glass, but not of the world. It's one thing for us to be in the world, but it's quite another for the world to be in us. So, Christian, how are you today? Are you walking the straight and narrow? Are you leading a disciplined life, being very careful about what you see, what you hear, where you go, who you hang around with, etc.? Or, have you allowed some of the world to soak in and, instead of the overwhelming joy and peace of the Lord, you have confusion and turmoil?

If you have gotten into the world, today's a good day to "Come out from among them, says the Lord of Hosts, and touch not the unclean thing." Confess the worldliness and allow God to cleanse you and purify you. He's waiting patiently...because He loves you so much and wants the closeness that He once had with you back!

..........We got a new girl yesterday, Jenora. Her dad just cried the whole time they were there. When they started to leave, they couldn't find him. He was in the prayer room, praying. He is so excited to have his daughter in the P.H., as he was on drugs years ago and got gloriously saved and has never looked back.

It's just sitting there doing nothing. What in the world is wrong with it? Why won't it cut my grass? After all, what's a lawn mower for if not for mowing the grass? Stupid lawnmower. It must not be true after all. Lawn mowers don't really mow grass. Several people have told me that that's what lawn mowers do, and that they mow their grass with lawn mowers, but it isn't working for me. I'm taking it back!

Wait a minute! My neighbor just told me that you have to crank the lawn mower first...you must turn the power on...before it will cut grass. Now, I see. All I have to do is turn it on, walk in the path behind this self-propelled mower, and my grass will get cut. How simple!

Well, dear one, as foolish as this sounds, we nevertheless do this in some areas of our lives. We have many promises from God's Word. They are just sitting there waiting. And these promises are absolutely true. However, like the lawn mower, they won't do us any good without the power being turned on. And faith is the power that turns God's promises into performance in our lives!

..........We had Missy's graduation ceremony last night. It was so awesome! Her dad said that, when he saw her for the first time after she had come to the P.H. and he saw the light coming from her, he wanted what she had. So her dad and mom both came back to church that same night after seeing her that morning and both gave their lives to Christ. They went home and got rid of all their alcohol and have been living for the Lord ever since. Also, a couple came who have been family friends and have known Missy her whole life. Jerry said when he saw Missy's before and after picture, he said he immediately wanted that light he saw in her and he and Sandy both got saved and have been living for the Lord ever since. Missy's dad, David, said he is going to start calling her "Igniter." Praise the Lord for this powerful testimony.

Stop and listen for just a minute. Just listen. What are you telling yourself? That it's impossible? That you can't do it? That you're not going to make it? That it's just about over for you? That you're going under? That you're no good? That you can't do anything? That your situation is hopeless?

That's probably the same thing the devil told Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego before the fiery furnace. I'll bet something like that was going through their minds, too. But, you know what they said to old King Neb? "If it be so, our God, whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up."

In other words, those three young Hebrew men decided to burn rather than turn. They chose to put their complete trust in God, regardless of the outcome. They looked in old Neb's face and told him a thing or two. Boy, can't you just imagine how that made God feel? "Finally...someone down there is taking sides with Me against the enemy and choosing to believe Me rather than him! Somebody is actually putting their lives in My hands without hesitation or reservation!"

Friend, are you facing an impossible situation today? Has the enemy been lying to you, whispering stuff in your ears that makes sense and seems to be the way it is? Well, why don't you take your stand today with your God? Why don't you stand up to the enemy and say to him what those 3 boys said, "Devil, my God is able to get me out of this mess and He already has delivered me out of your hands. So, I'm serving you notice today that I am putting all my trust in the Lord and depending on Him for the outcome! I'll praise Him no matter what He chooses to do in my situation. From this day on, it's all up to God!"

Paul had warned them! "Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with injury and much damage, not only of the cargo and ship, but also of our lives." However, the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship more than those things which were spoken by the apostle, Paul. Besides, the south wind was blowly softly and everything appeared to be in their favor to set sail. And so they did!

You know the story. They set out, but not long after, they faced a furious storm. For days, they were caught in this storm and had tried everything to secure the boat and to lighten their load. Finally, however, all hope that they should be saved was taken away.

And, that's when God stepped in...in their desperation and hopelessness...when they had tried everything they could do and had given up on all their self efforts. At this point, unbeknownst to them, the Lord had led them close to an island. The ship then ran aground and was totally broken into pieces, but all those on board escaped unharmed and swam to shore. They lost everything due to their disobedience; however they themselves were saved.

Beloved, this should be a good lesson for us. We need to always just obey the word of the Lord, regardless of how good the circumstances appear or regardless of what people around us are saying that is contrary to God's Word. If we don't obey God, we, too, will face an awful storm. Things in our lives will be broken up. And, we'll find ourselves in Hopeless Cove on Desperate Island. We'll be saved, but in the process, we will lose some valuable things....so let's just mind God in the first place and avoid a lot of heartaches!

..........Three of the ladies went yesterday to Holly Evans to have color put on their hair. We are so thankful that the Lord has sent Holly to us to do hair coloring for our ladies. God bless you, Holly. We love you and are so grateful to God for sending you to us.

..........The ladies are really enjoying working in Vacation Bible School, especially Gwen and Missy. Gwen says she has found her calling...with children. They all just gravitate to her and all love her. She gets down with them, no matter what it involves. Gwen is not afraid to get down in the dirt, to roll, to tumble, or anything. She is really good with kids, so let's all pray that God will lead her in the direction He wants her to go for her life.

..........Please be in prayer for Dara. She has some female problems and has had to have a biopsy and is going for a mammogram. Also, continue to pray for Shawn another job. He has good possibilities for a job he was recently interviewed for. He really wants this job. And, they especially need this now, because the medical bills are starting to come in, due to Dara's physical problems.

"We must learn not only to give up our wrongs but even our rights. It is little that we should turn from sin; if we are to follow Christ and His consecration, we must turn from the things that are not sinful and learn the great lesson of self-renunciation even in rightful things. The everlasting ideal is He, in the form of God, who thought it not a thing to be eagerly grasped that He should be equal with God, but emptied Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. There are many things which are not wrong for you to keep and to hold as your own, but in keeping them, He would lose and you would lose much more.

Our service for God often must be buried before it can bring forth much fruit. And so God sometimes calls us to a work and makes it appear to fail in the early stages, until we cry in disappointment, "I have labored in vain. I have spent my strength for nought." Then it comes forth phoenix like from the flames and blossoms and buds until it fills the face of the world with fruit. So God writes the mark of the cross on everything, until by and by, the very grave may be the passport to a better resurrection and death will be swallowed up in victory.

..........You remember Missy's parents, David and Linda, who both recently got saved and gave up a lifetime of alcohol addiction. They are doing great! David has been working for years at a cabinet shop...but, because of the economy, work is really slow and he hasn't had much to do. So, he will be coming over to do a lot of things at the Potter's House and some at the Hannah House. He is a handy-man and does great work. Since we have been in our beautiful home for two years, there are several things that need to be done....like touch-up painting, minor repairs, etc.

A great attitude! Know what? We can't have everything or do everything or control everything, but there is one thing we can all have and that is a great attitude! That is our choice! Every day I can make up my mind that I will have a good attitude no matter the circumstances. Besides, I've heard that life is only 2% circumstances anyway...and 98% attitude.

There's a really good catchy phrase to use in life's situations. It came from Amy Carmichael. "See in this a chance to die." So, when my finances are poor, I can say, "See in this a chance to die." I can die to my own fears, my own doubts, my own desires, my own plans, my own hopes, my own control, my own ability, my own feelings.....and trust God with all my heart, listen and obey Him in everything He says, and leave the rest up to Him.

When tragedy strikes my family, I can say, "See in this a chance to die." When my body suffers from weakness and disease, I can say, "See in this a chance to die." When people don't like me and make sure everyone knows why, I can say, "See in this a chance to die." When I get overlooked and unappreciated, I can say, "See in this a chance to die." When my dreams get shattered, I can say, "See in this a chance to die." When friends and loved ones turn against me, I can say, "See in this a chance to die." In fact, in every uncomfortable and unpleasant situation in life, I can say, "See in this a chance to die."

The longer I am a Christian, the more I realize that God didn't come to help me; He came to inhabit me. He didn't come to fix me; He came to put me to death so He can live through me. If I could do it without Him, I wouldn't need Him. So, I should look at everything as God's opportunity in my life to die to my self and let Him live His life out through me! "See in this a chance to die!"

..........Stacie had to go home to south Georgia. Her 93 year old grandmother is preparing to enter her heavenly home and they have called all the family in. Please pray for this family, especially for those lost loved ones who need to get saved through this.

..........It's on my heart today to just tell all of you who support us "Thank you!" We cannot express enough what your love and encouragement and support mean to us. It is so expensive to keep up two households...there is absolutely no way we could do it without each of you that faithfully give to us so that our ministry can continue. Some of you will say, "This is just a little...wish I could do more. I know it's not much." But, we want you to know that we appreciate everything, whether it's $10 or $1000. $10 might not seem like much, but if you had 100 people that gave $10 each, that would be $1000. So, God bless you all that help us with money and food and clothes and work and prayers and everything else that you give. We love all of you and want you to know that you really, really, really are making an eternal difference in a lot of lives!

What's wrong with that judge? Why is he allowing that thief and that murderer to run free? He must be a terrible judge. He is so unfair! But, wait a minute! I remember that the thief and the murderer went before the judge and he sentenced them according to what they did. So, it's not the judge's fault that they are running free. The judge brings the sentence...but he doesn't carry out the sentence. He leaves that up to the appointed authorities to do that.

What kind of God is He that would allow the devil to roam about, lying, stealing and killing? He must be a terrible judge. He is so unfair! But, wait a minute! I remember that God came to earth in human flesh, as Jesus Christ, walked on this earth, died on a cruel cross, and rose from the dead. He defeated death, hell and the grave, as He triumphed over satan and all his hosts. So, it's not God's fault that the devil is running free, wrecking havoc.

God has pronounced the sentence on the devil...but it's up to those in authority to carry out that sentence. That would be us! We have been crucified with Christ, buried with Christ, resurrected with Christ, and are now seated with Christ in His ascended position in heavely places. God has seated us; God has given us this ascended place with Christ; and God has given us His authority over the enemy. All we have to do is to carry out the Judge's orders.

God is looking for some folks who will join their wills with His in carrying out His sentence on the enemy. We all need to realize who we are in Christ, start believing Him and start acting out who He says we are and what authority He says we have. The devil was defeated 2009 years ago. He's defeated, yall. He has absolutely no authority. So, why are we still holding on to our pacifiers? Why are we cowering in fear from this defeated foe? Why are we giving in to this murdering, lying, stealing, pitiful wimp and allowing him to tell us what to do?

Hey, yall, let's rise up and pray so that there are earthquakes in hell. Let's take our ascended position and serve satan notice to back up, pack up and clear out. Let's march against the gates of hell and tell them to move over...that we are coming after the territory that the devil has stolen and pillaged. I'm sick of letting a defeated wimp be in control!

..........Missy will be graduating in a couple of weeks and she needs a job. DFACS has already told her that she can get her 14 year old daughter back as soon as she graduates and gets a job. If you know of anything, please let us know, even if it is cleaning houses or whatever. Missy is willing to do anything.

..........Please, please pray about another house for us. We now have 4 ladies who need a home for them and their children. We have one expectant mother who has nowhere to go when her baby is born. We already know of a young girl who just had a baby and has nowhere to go. We need housing ASAP. We are looking at housing and have found some really good places nearby.....but God will have to come through with a miracle. Just pray with us that our Father will furnish places for these girls. We are seeking His face and His guidance and direction in this matter.

" I have been at the P.H. for six months now. When I first got here, I just knew I had to get off drugs and get away from my friends for a little while. I thought that until about a week into my stay. That's when I started seeing how the girls were just like me at one time, but now they were happy and had Christ living through them. I realized that that is what I wanted!

Now, I want to get my strength through Him...my joy and happiness and everything through Christ. I realize that it wasn't me who really wantd to come here. It was God reaching out to me and pulling me here. If it had been up to me, I would have left that first week. However, I got saved and God gave me the strength to get through just one more day.

Time has flown. I have now been here six months and I praise God for the Potter's House. I guess that's why He says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct you paths."

At first, I didn't understand how come I couldn't live normal and how I got to the place of destruction. Now I know that God allowed the sufferings and the tactics of the devil and even my own self to get to this place. So, today, I thank God for living through me and using me for His glory."

..........I received an e-mail from Shelly, our recent graduate this morning. She went to a Celebrate Recovery meeting. They asked her to tell about herself and she told about the P.H. and "that I was definitely through with my addiction, and I am serving the Lord with all my heart and soul. And I told them that I was not sure what I could get from CR because of all I have gotten from the P.H. They said, "Well, maybe it's time for you to give back. There are plenty of people that need what you have. They were very excited. The lady that heads it up wants to introduce me to a lady who is going through a really bad time with alcohol abuse and is really not knowing which way to go. She sounds like just a lost soul like so many of us with addictions. Hopefully, i will meet her next Wed. evening. Of course, you know the P.H. is such a big part of my testimony; more than that...it's where I was born. I am just waiting to hear from God to see if CR is where He would like me to begin my ministry." Pray for Shelly, that God would use her to make a difference in the lives of others.

..........Bethany has received a couple of requests to do a web page for someone. She and Stefani will be deciding what to charge, as someone told her they know of about 5 more people who are looking for someone to do a website for them. Who knows what all is going to become of the Photo-Genic Studios and the webpages?

Yesterday, I gave you Margo's paper on why she is at the P.H. Today, I will write down what Jennifer said about this subject. "Lord, You know that I have always made some pretty bad choices and decisions over the years. And, although I tell You I love You and want to serve You, I have to ask myself, "Do I really?"

When it comes right down to it, every kind of love I have ever known has been somehow tainted, dirty, abusive, fleshly and manipulative in some kind of way. So, You know I have one simple question to ask You. Mrs. Cherrie told us that, at one of the Camp Zion meetings, the whole camp prayed over everyone that was there....that they would never get over this meeting...that they would have a "revival" in them and a thirst that could never be quenched. And, I see that in her eyes and her countenance that I have never seen before...love and joy unexplainable...almost like what maybe...Peter, James and John...and some of the disciples must of felt, really knowing You personally.

So, I guess this is what I am asking. "Is it possible for someone like me? What it feels like to know a pure, unselfish, Godly love? Lord, will You touch my heart so deeply that I will truly know how to love You. I mean really love You! To love You and to trust You so much...that maybe, like Abraham, be willing to trust You with my girls' lives?

That's love! Lord, I guess what I'm asking is this. I am so tired of being "surface," "shallow" in the really important things. I don't have a clue how to be anything more than this person that I have known for 35 years. But I also know that You are God and, even though I don't understand or can't explain Your love for me, I am beginning to believe the "realness" of it for me. So, I think maybe that it is a start in finding something in me...something I have never known. God, will You show me how to love? I mean really love? I don't know if I am capable of loving like that, but I would like to know what it feels like (not for me, though...for You, cause that's all I know I could give You.)

..........Kathy , who is our personal trainer, came yesterday morning and stayed all day with the girls. After they finished yesterday, they all took the rest of the day to spend with the Lord. They all found places alone and sought the Lord. We all spent much of the day with our Lord, quiet before Him, alone with Him, seeking Him. Then, last night, as always the first Wednesday of every month, 3 of our board members came and we had a prayer meeting for the ministry, our country, for us and our families. The girls all shared what God had spoken to them about yesterday. We had an awesome time!

The Lord said, "Go ye." That sounds really good to us Christians, because with all our hearts, we want everyone to know about our Savior. So, we hold conferences and meetings. We preach and teach and plan and persuade, trying to enlist others around us to join in our efforts to reach the lost.

We quote Matthew 28:19-20, which we have come to know as The Great Commission. We have God's Word so we know that this is what He intends for us to do. However, we so often fail to tell people the first part of the commission, which is also a part of God's Word. He told the disciples to "Tarry ye" before He told them to "Go ye."

The purpose for the "Tarry ye" was for the disciples to get in God's presence and stay there long enough until they were endued with power from on high. They met in an upper room and tarried for 10 days...and then the Holy Spirit fell on them and they received power to become witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria and the uttermost part of the earth. Without this power, it would have been them working for the Lord rather than the Lord working through them.

So, Christian, how about you today? Have you gotten so busy "going ye" that you have forgotten to "tarry ye?" Have you gotten caught up in the work of the Lord rather than in the Lord of the work? If so, today is a good day to rearrange your priorities! The Lord...your relationship with Him, not your work for Him...should be the most important thing in yourlife. Spending time alone with Him should be the most important part of your day. Why don't you begin each day by tarrying first...then going. You will be surprised at what the Lord will do!

..........Wendi is going today to register for GED classes at the Griffin Tech extension located in Jackson. She will also be getting a part time job to help pay for her probation fines and her DUI class and getting her driver's license back. If any of you need your house cleaned or you need yard work (Wendi loves yard work) and would be willing to pay her to do it, we would love for you to call us and let us know.

..........We are getting another new lady today. Her name is Ginger. The lady we got yesterday did not want to stay. She was high when she came and we felt this morning that she wanted to go back out and use. She wasn't at her rope's end yet. But, we are leaving the door open in case she gets back home and decides that she is desperate enough to do whatever it takes! She knows nothing of the BIble...she had no idea about an Old Testament or New Testament. She didn't know anything about books of the Bible or that verses were numbered, etc Please pray for Ginny. We would love to see her come back, get saved, and really want to follow the Lord.

Feed me! Feed me! Your body constantly cries out to you! It wants food! It must have food in order to grow and be healthy. And, I doubt very seriously if you sit down to the table and say, "Oh, no! I have to eat! Oh, no! I cannot believe that I must eat this steak and baked potato and tossed salad! Oh, no! Oh, no! Why me? Why do I have to endure this in order to be healthy and to grow? Why can't it just happen without me having to go through this?"

You don't do this, do you? Neither do I....physically speaking, that is! However, we constantly do this spiritually. We want our faith to grow. And we really know deep inside that it must be fed in order to grow and be healthy. We will even pray, asking God to increase our faith. Then, God answers and sends some food that will help our faith grow...trials! And boy do we start moaning and groaning! Basically, we are saying, "Oh, no! I have to eat this spiritual food! Oh, no! I cannot believe that I must welcome this trial, giving thanks unto God, rejoicing and praising Him for this faith-building food. Oh, no! Oh, no! Why me? Why do I have to endure this in order to be spiritually healthy and to grow? Why can't it just happen without me having to go through this?"

Dear one, don't you think it is high time that we start considering it all joy when we fall into various trials? Shouldn't we rejoice always? Shouldn't we give thanks in everything, since this is the will of God concerning us? I've just decided that I'm going to start looking at my trials as food for my faith and I'm going to thank God for every single bite, trusting Him and praising Him that He knows exactly what kind of food my spiritual life needs! Oh...gotta go...I have some fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and black-eyed peas to eat!

..........We had a great time Sunday night at Immanuel Church in Griffin. It was our first time at this church and they just received us with open arms. We gave our testimonies and shared what God is doing in our lives. We made some more new friends, for which we are very grateful. Thank you, Immanuel, for having us.

..........Please pray for Dara. She is having a sonogram today. We all love Dara and thank God for her and for her continued love and support of the Potter's House. She has been faithful to us and has always been such a blessing. She will always be one of my "wittle wambs."

..........We had a great time yesterday. My husband wanted to spend his "Memorial Day" afternoon at the P.H. The girls had a hot dog bar...hot dogs, chili, slaw, macaroni salad, macaroni and cheese, deviled eggs, and desserts. Then, we played games. We laughed so hard that we could hardly stand up. I don't know when I have ever laughed that hard. I will send pictures this week.

Fixed! Is your heart fixed? According to Webster's Dictionary, fixed means unmoving...securely placed or fastened...incapable of being changed or moved. So, if something is fixed, then it's not going anywhere. It's not going to be changed and it's not going to be moved. It is securely fastened to something!

The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 112, "He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established; he shall not be afraid..." This man's heart was fixed, securely fastened to the Lord Jesus Christ. That's why evil tidings didn't cause fear. Since his heart wasn't fastened to "things," then he would have no need to fear when those "things" were threatened.

How about you, dear one? How's your heart? Is it floating, wavering, being tossed about with the winds and waves of your circumstances? Or is it fixed on your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? Is it so firmly tied to Him that no evil tidings can move it? Is it so secure in Him that there is nothing that can change it or move it?

..........Stefani is graduating tonight. She will be going home to her husband, Josh. She is planning on staying involved with us, helping us in different ways. We are so excited for Stef, although we sure do hate to see her go. She has been such a blessing to the P.H. Please pray for her as she enters the next phase of her journey.

..........I talked with Christy Bounds yesterday. She is still flying for Delta. She hopes to come here and see us all. I hope to get a picture of her in her uniform. Christy graduated in 2007, stayed with us for a while longer, and was hired by Delta as a flight attendant. She is doing great. I will be very excited to see her.

They didn't get it! Perhaps they thought that following Jesus meant no more storms, no more trials, no more hard times! Yet, here they were in the middle of the sea in the midst of a furious, powerful storm! The waves were pouring over into the boat so fast that it looked as though they would sink! And Jesus! Where was He? In the stern of the boat, asleep on a pillow. How could He possibly just lay there: sleeping, unafraid, not worried, not thinking of a plan to save them?

You think maybe Jesus was just testing them to see if they really believed His words? After all, He had told them at the outset, "Let us pass over unto the other side." There was no way that ship was going to sink with Jesus on board! He had given them His word about"us" passing over, so they wouldn't have to be afraid, wouldn't have to worry. All they had to do was believe Him! He didn't promise them that he would keep the storm from striking the boat; rather, He promised He would keep the storm from sinking it.

How about you, dear one? Are you in a fierce storm in your life right now? If so, just remember that Jesus is on board. He dwells within you and has told you, "Let us pass over unto the other side." Are you going to believe Him, no matter how strong the winds, no matter how high the waves? Are you going to trust Him to guide you through this storm to the other side? Why don't you just start focusing on the Master of the Winds rather than on the winds? Why don't you focus on the Maker of the waves rather than on the waves? Why don't you start praising rather than pitying, singing rather than sorrowing, worshipping rather than worrying? It will sure help you enjoy the journey a whole lot more!

..........We all went to Glen Haven Baptist Church last night to hear Bill Stafford. He is one of the people who has most impacted my spiritual life. He comes to Glen Haven every April. Before we went, the girls came to my house for group. They really enjoyed that. And then, I took them for a rare treat...we went out to eat. We went to Shane's Barbecue and just had a wonderful time.

..........The girls have been doing great while Lisa is gone. They were telling me how much they miss her...but also how they have just pulled together and encouraged and uplifted each other in her absence. I am so proud of them. They have really shined! It reminds me of how little children stick together when the parents are absent from the home due to addictions; how brothers and sisters look after each other in times like these. Some of them are really stepping up to the plate and becoming leaders.

When you first read it, it sounds like a contradiction. It's in II Chronicles 15:2 "The Lord is with you, while ye be with Him; and if ye seek Him, He will be found of you; but if ye forsake Him, He will forsake you." Wait a minute! Doesn't God's Word tell us that He will never leave us or forsake us? How can both things be true?

This is exactly why it is so important to read a verse in context. We need to read what's before it and what's after it to see what the writer is talking about. If you read chapters 14, 15, 16, you will find that it is dealing with wars and enemies and with the Lord fighting our battles, not with salvation. King Asa, in chapter 14 had gone to battle against the Ethiopians. He had completely relied upon the Lord and the Ethiopians were overthrown.

The prophet, Azariah, told King Asa that the Lord would be with him and would not forsake him if he would only seek God. Asa saw firsthand how God had done just that in the battle with the Ethiopians. However, when the next battle presented itself, Asa made a league with the King of Syria to help him rather than relying totally on God. The outcome this time was completely different. This brought the seer, Hanani, to Asa with the message that he had done foolishly and "from henceforth thou shalt have wars."

So, dear ones, we need to learn from King Asa's life. We can fight our battles our own selves, seeking help from worldly ways and means. Or, we can rely totally upon the Lord, seeking Him and trusting Him to fight our battles for us. The Lord will be with us and protect us and fight for us if we will only let Him....but, He will withdraw His hand of protection and will not fight our battles if we choose to do it ourselves and we can from henceforth have wars!

..........On the front page of the April 19, 2009 edition of The Griffin Daily News is a picture and an article about Jennifer Williams' daughter, Meagan Williams. Meagan won second place in the "Breaking Barriers" national essay contest that 9000 students took part in. This was started by Jackie Robinson's daughter, Sharon, who focuses her attention on recognizing young people who have broken barriers in their lives. Sharon will be visitng Meagan's school in person on May 15 to make her presentation to Meagan. Meagan also received a laptop computer and tickets to a Braves game. Meagan will also be honored by the Braves at Turner Field during the team's May 18 game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Meagan said it was courage and determination she focused on when she wrote about a barrier she overcame with her family.

Trials are the food of faith. Without them, our faith has no nourishment, thereby leaving us with a weak, sickly faith. How could we possibly know that our God will supply all our needs if we never have a need? How could we know that our God could heal if we never get sick? How could we know that our God could move mountains if we never faced a mountain? How could we know that our God could mend broken hearts if we never have a broken heart? And the list goes on!

Therefore, we should welcome trials! We should sit down before them as if we were sitting down to a feast. We should look at them as a vitamin-packed spiritual meal that is strengthening us for our journey here on earth. We should rejoice, knowing that our loving Heavenly Father has given us some "spiritual spinach," so to speak. We may not enjoy the "spinach," but we know it is feeding and strengthening our faith. We wouldn't be healthy if we just lived off of the good, fun stuff, like "banana splits" and "cake" and "candy."

So, dear one, if you are in the midst of a trial, just thank God that He is giving you faith food. Trust Him, as you pray, "Heavenly Father, You have placed this cup of trials into my hands so that later I may have something pleasant. Thank You, Father, for this faith food. I can't wait to see what You are going to do in my situation."

..........Wendi will be graduating tonight. She is going to stay for second phase. Betty will be helping her daily with her GED. She will continue coming to my house to do our yard work....she absolutely loves it, by the way. We will help her get a job after she gets her GED. Please pray for Wendi as she goes home for a few days and then returns for second phase.

..........Last night, we had several ladies from the First Baptist Church in Barnesville. We had a great time with them. I will have pictures tomorrow. We are looking forward to more times with these ladies and their church. We thank Faye McIntosh for getting this all together and for loving and supporting us.

His source was gone, his course had changed, and his force was dwindling. Elijah stood at the entrance to Zarephath, where the Lord had told him to go. The brook had dried up, the ravens had stopped flying in food, but God had said He would sustain him by a widow in that town when he got there. And there she was, placed by God's Divine providence, at the gate of the city, right where Elijah had entered.

Imagine that! Elijah's food source was waiting on him; he didn't even have to go hunting. However, the widow herself was preparing for her last meal for her and her son. Didn't look too good! She was gathering sticks and was planning on going home to make one last dinner from the handful of meal and the last bit of oil she had.

If that had been us choosing, we certainly wouldn't have picked that widow. No way! She couldn't even feed herself; much less Elijah too. However, this is what God had said do, so Elijah obeyed. God uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; things that would never enter our minds to do.

Elijah told the widow to make him a little cake first. How selfish we would probably think! But, in God's economy, we are to seek Him FIRST and all the other things SHALL be added! Going against the way things appeared, Elijah obeyed; the widow obeyed; and both were sustained until the famine was over!

As I see it, God is our source, our course, and our force. And whoever and whenever and whatever He chooses to use is His business. If we put Him first in our day, first in our thoughts, first in everything, then He will direct our steps to His source; we'll be on His course; and He will be our force!

It once stood tall and majestic against the backdrop of the blue sky. It had withstood the elements for years and years. It had endured violent storms, with winds that angrily tore at its limbs, trying to rip them off! It had undergone heavy snows that laded its branches almost to the point of breaking them off! It had been through periods of drought, where its roots had to go deeper and deeper to find the precious, life-giving water! But, it still stood, proud of its great strength to stand no matter what!

What about you, dear one? Have you, like the oak, withstood many trials and difficulties throughout your life? Have you continued to stand, no matter what has happened to you? However, now you are finding that all the little things are "bugging" you? Your mind just races madly and you cannot seem to stop it! You cannot quit focusing on all those "beetles" that are eating away at your life!

Well, stop it right now! Take a look at what's happening to you! The "little foxes are spoiling the vines" as the Bible teaches us. Your mind needs a vacation! It's high time you put aside everything else...the phone, the TV, the interruptions, and get alone with God until He clears all this up! He is the only One who can search out and find all those little "beetles" that are eating you up and get rid of them! Remember: Victory is not you overcoming sin; it is Jesus overcoming you! When you get your focus back on Him, then He, who is your victory, will take over and kill all the "beetles" rather than them killing you!

..........Shelly went back to her home. She had only about 3 weeks until her graduation, but her ex-husband's shift had changed and Shelly needed to be home to take care of their daughter. Recently, Robert had asked Shelly to re-marry him, so they were married Monday and are planning on having a Godly home. Robert is a very Godly man and is so excited to now have a Godly wife. Shelly is serious about serving the Lord...she is looking into going to Bible college, because she wants to give out what all the Lord has put into her. We are so proud of Shelly!

..........Jenny , who graduated over 6 months ago, has been accepted into Griffin Tech. She passed her tests that she needed to get in. She has already been given the grants she needs to pay for her schooling. She will be getting her degree in Criminal Justice for Juvenile Probation. We are very excited for Jenny and proud of her for pursuing a career to help others. Please pray that God will use her migtily in this field she is going into.

It's great to be back! I did not know how much I needed this spiritual rest until I got it. How subtle the enemy is...he slowly, meticulously, purposely gets us caught up in the work of the Lord rather than in the Lord of the work! I needed to get my priorities in line again.

During this week, I experienced much brokenness and repentance. Before I left, I read something that rang my bell...and it became a part of what the Lord did in me during the week. I read that, if you were going to buy a bottle of water and it said, "98% pure spring water, 2% sewerage water," would you purchase it? Why, of course not! You would want water that is 100% pure.

Well, hello! Why in the world do we think the Lord would want His children to be 98% pure, 2% sewerage of the world? That's not what I want! I want to be 100% for my precious Savior. So, I told the Lord that I don't want any contaminated stuff of the world mixed in my life and He gave me the same message every single day. I can not count the times that I turned to this phrase each day "wholly followed the Lord." It is in Deuteronomy 1:36; Joshua 14:8, 9, 14; Numbers 32:12.

..........The girls did great while I was gone. Lisa always does an excellent job of keeping things going. Each day, during the time that I normally come for group, they did the spiritual gifts. We have an excellent workbook on the gifts, with tests on each gift to help the girls determine what their main motivational gift is. They thoroughly enjoyed this! It is always such a help to learn what your own gift is...and to learn about the gifts of others. It helps you to understand other people much better.

.....Thomas Edison was sent home by his teacher with a note, saying that he was too stupid to learn. So, his Mother decided to teach him herself. Was the teacher right? Apparently not, for Edison went on to invent the light bulb, motion pictures, the phonograph, and about 1,000 other inventions.

This just goes to show that we can fail, but that doesn't make us a failure. A failure is someone who has quit trying, someone who has given up. We've got one life...one shot at it...so let's give it all we've got. When we fall, let's get up and go again! Who knows what God will do with those who don't quit?

..........Please pray for us tonight and tomorrow. We are having a retreat with the board members and those of us who are involved with the Potter's House. We are asking the Lord for a brand new touch, for His fire to descend upon us. We plan on seeking the face of God, praying together, worshipping the Lord together, and getting spiritually renewed. There will be 9 or 10 of us.

It got my attention and, for a second, almost took my breath away! I can't explain the feeling that came over me at that moment. The light was filtering through the trees onto the highway, making it look heavenly, almost ethereal. It made me keenly aware, for a few suspended minutes, of the fact of light...a fact which I knew, but wasn't always conscious of.

Then, it dawned on me! We go about this life, knowing that God is everywhere at all times. However, we get caught up in the world around us and aren't even aware of His presence so much of the time. We have a tendency to take Him forgranted, to get comfortable in our own little worlds, to lose our zeal and fire. We know He is real, but that "knowing" is often vague and far away.

That's when we need revival! Revival is really just a fresh awareness of God's presence! It's a time when the "Light" shines through the darkness, the trials, the troubles, the discouragement, the despair, the hopelessness and makes us keenly aware of Him in a way that we have needed so desperately. It almost takes our breath away!

..........Last night, we went to Worthville Baptist Church. We had a delicious meal and then gave our testimonies. This is our first time with these precious folks. We had a great time with them and have made many more new friends. The Pastor really has a heart for God and especially for the young people all around us who are drowning in our society. He has a burden to help them and wants to bring the young people from his church to the P.H. to hear the testimonies. Please pray with us that God would use us mightily in the lives of these young folks, many of whom are about to go down the path that our ladies went. We are praying that God would use us to make a difference...and to bring revival to the hearts of these young folks.

The third trait is the desire to carry his cross. The cross is that extra adversity that comes to us, as a result of our obedience to Christ. This cross is not forced upon us; we voluntarily take it up with full knowledge of the consequences. Carrying a cross means to be attached to the person of Christ, committed to the Lordship of Chirst.

The seventh trait is the ability to habitually make eternity judgments instead of time judgments. By faith, he rises above the tug of earth and the flow of time and learns to think and feel as one who has already left the world and gone to join the innumerable company of angels and the general assembly and churchof the First=born, which are written in heaven.

..........Lauren went to court yesterday and was sentenced to the P.H. for second phase. She is very happy, because she kept wavering back and forth as to whether she would stay on for second phase. She wanted to, but she also felt that her family needed her. Now the decision has been made for her.

..........Betty and Lisa have been moving into the Hannah House. They are very excited. Betty is going to be a great asset to the ministry. She has her own car and will be able to do much of our transportation. She is going to pick up the slack in all the areas where we need her.

..........We have another refrigerator and freezer. Lisa's dad, Big Foot, went and picked them up yesterday and they are in the garage at the Hannah House. We sometimes need the extra freezer when we get so many donations that they won't fit in the 3 freezers we have. This other refrigerator can also be used to store extra milk, juices, etc. We thank Earl Dinkler for giving these to us.

Psalm 84 tells us, "Blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee, in whose heart are the ways of them; who, passing through the valley of Baca, make it a well..." The valley of Baca is not a literal valley but it is a place of tears. What do you do when you are in the valley of Baca? Do you mumble and grumble and have a big ole pity party? Or, do you decide to make your valley a well for others to drink from when they are passing through the valley? Are you using your "Baca" to help others along the way?

..........The girls are all doing great. We have a wonderful group. It is so amazing that we can have 18 ladies that all get along and love each other and are a blessing to each other. I attribute that, first of all to the Lord, but also to the Lord working through Lisa. She calls them in the living room in a heartbeat if there is any dissension whatsoever. She doesn't put up with any gossip, any negativism, or any bad attitudes period. The girls know that. If she has to call someone in to talk with them for any reason, she prints out a sheet from the computer, dates it, and has them to sign it. It goes in their folder. If she has to call them in three times for anything, they are asked to leave. We are a Christian discipleship program; we mean business; and we don't put up with those who aren't here to completely surrender and allow the Lord to take control.

Many people were following Him. In fact, Mark 5 tells us that people were "thronging" or crowding Him. Yet, in the midst of all this throng of people, one lady who had had an issue of blood for 12 years came up and touched Him. She was immediately made well.

Jesus, knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned about in the crowd and asked, "Who touched Me?" The disciples said to Jesus "Thou seest the multitude thronging Thee, and sayest Thou, 'Who touched Me?" The disciples apparently didn't realize the difference between thronging and touching!

There were multitudes there that day that needed something. They wanted to see His miracles...in fact, many of them probably wanted to be one of those miracles. However, they were simply "thronging" Him. They were so close, yet so far away. But, this lady didn't "throng" Him. She touched Him! She came to Him thirsty and hungry, desperate, destitute, and defeated. She wanted to touch the living God, the fountain of Living Water. She wanted something much deeper than most of the crowd that was there that day! She touched reality!

..........I got an e-mail from Jessica, who graduated recently, telling me what a great time they had in the snow. She sent pictures of them in the snow. They rode a dune buggy...made a snowman...and just had a great family time. This was awesome to her, because she was on pills and so strung out that she never did anything like this with her husband and son. What a blessing to see her happy with her family!

Friend, if this describes you today, please don't quit! You're snared in the devil's bait. He has deceived you into thinking that this struggle you're going through is a power struggle with him and that you're just too weak to fight any more. But, wait! It's not a power struggle...rather, it is a truth struggle instead. You're not believing Truth!

All the enemy is trying to do is to wear you down and cause you to doubt the Word of God. He doesn't want you to stand on Truth. He doesn't want you to stand up and go on the offensive against him, saying, "I am more than a conqueror and even though I don't feel like a conqueror, God says I am and I'm going to act like what God says!" He doesn't want you to agree with God that he is already defeated and that you are victor over him because the Victor lives inside you and has already won for you! The enemy is trying to keep you from the Truth...because there is nothing he can do when you stand on God's Word and don't back down.

You are seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus. That's your position! Take it! Stand on it! Tell the enemy that you're giving up...not to him...but to Jesus Christ. Tell him that your Captain is taking over and He's the One giving the orders from now on!

..........This is awesome! I received an e-mail from a lady who went to the conference in LaGrange. She invited a girl to the conference who had been struggling with drugs. This girl was very touched by the testimonies of our ladies and knelt down and surrendered. She no longer wants to live a life full of drugs, alcohol, etc. She wants to live for the Lord. On Sunday night, she received a call from a friend. This girl was wanting to commit suicide and this young lady who went to the conference talked her out of ending her life and talked her into living a life with the Lord! How amazing that, in two short days, this young lady, not only gave her life to the Lord, but led someone else to do the same! Praise the Lord!

Yesterday, we talked about how we have, not a changed life, but an exchanged one. It is not His life added to mine; rather it is His life in place of mine! It is not me working for God; rather it is God working through me. Under law, we work. Under grace, God works!

Just think about it! God lives inside of me! God...the One who just spoke the universe into existence out of nothing; God...the One who breathed out millions of galaxies and millions of stars in every galaxy and knows them all by name; God, the One who is above all and over all; this God lives inside of me.

Then, why should I struggle when the Creator lives inside me? Why should I fear when the Victor lives inside me? Why should I worry when the One who owns it all lives inside me? Why should I be carrying all these heavy burdens when the Burden-Bearer lives inside me? Why should I...why should I...why should I?

..........Last night, a group of ladies from Rock Springs came over. We had over 50 people at the house. It was awesome! We had some delicious food and some great fellowship. Dara did her interpretive dance; another lady brought a wonderful song for us to listen to. Then, we had testimonies...a little of Dara's, then Lisa's, and Stephanie's. I also gave my testimony last night. It dawned on me that I have never given my testimony to Rock Springs...it had never crossed my mind until yesterday. We had a wonderful time and we thank all of you and we love you for coming to love on us and support us.

..........Bethany finally got DSL and got her computer hooked up yesterday. We are so excited about this, because she can do so much more now to help us. She is going to be working on the website with Diana...and will be changing the pictures on it, probably on a weekly basis. She is going to be more involved in the media aspect of the P.H. and we are really excited about this. Also, she is really getting into photography...along with my husband...and we already have two weddings to take pictures of. Part of the proceeds from this will go to the P.H., part for the cost of ink, paper, etc., and part for Bethany.

If you had an old, worn-out Bible with dim lettering, with the pages coming loose and the cover falling apart, you could do one of two things. First, you could change it. You could put on a new cover. You could have the pages rebound. You could have "Holy Bible" rewritten on the cover. You could patch it up and fix it up, but you'd still have an old Bible...maybe better, but still old.

Or, you could do something else. Instead of changing it, you could exchange it. You could get a brand new Bible in its place. You would have new pages, a new cover, new lettering. You could then say that the old Bible has passed away and you have a new one instead.

Wow! This reminds me of us. We come to the Lord wanting Him to change us. We try acting better; we try doing righteous things; we do everything we can to improve this "self." We may fix the outside cover; we may put on some new lettering; we may rebind some of those things that are loose. However, all we are doing is patching up and fixing up the "old" man. We may be doing a little better...but it's still the "old" man underneath.

How much better it would be to exchange! What I need to do is to put the "old" man aside...to crucify him...to put him to death and allow the "new" man, Jesus, to live out through me. I need to exchange His life for mine. I need to wake up to God's Word which says, "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me..." It's an exchanged life...His life, not added to mine, but his life in place of mine!

..........We had an awesome time at the conference in LaGrange. The Lord did a work in all of us! We will never forget the "waterpots"...how they are so filled with things of the world that the Lord cannot fill them with the Living Waters until they are bubbling over! We all had to clean out our waterpots! By the way, what's in your waterpot today?

..........We thank God for all the people at Rock Springs and for all the people in the other churches who support us and make this ministry possible. It takes so many, many people! Without all of you and your part in the P.H., all these lives would not be changed! Just like in a smooth-running machine, there may be hundreds of parts, all working together to produce the final product. Even if one of those parts malfunctioned, it could stop the whole thing. So, each of you are vitally important to us and we want you to know that we love you with all our hearts and thank our precious Savior for you! Only eternity will tell the rewards you all get for helping change lives eternally!

If you're like me, you can be minding your own business, going about your daily tasks, and it happens. Somebody has the audacity to set some Krispy Kremes in front of you....or some delicious looking food....and your will power hits rock bottom! The food is a hunger creator and, even though you have made up your mind that you are going on a diet, somehow you just cannot resist that tantalizing, tempting food!

Well, maybe we don't realize sometimes that we, too, as Christians, can be hunger creators. If we are filled with the Spirit, filled with God's love and joy and peace, that is so highly appealing that many people just cannot resist. They will actually get hungry in their soul for what we have!

However, the opposite can equally be true. Just as stale, dry, gloomy-looking food turns folks off, so do stale, dry, gloomy Christians. If you walk around complaining and murmuring, always blaming others for what's going on in your life, never satisfied, always negative and with your face dragging the ground, always looking like you just ate a lemon, then you certainly aren't making anybody hungry for what you have! They can find plenty of that kind of food in the world!

..........Mondays at the P.H. are overhaul days...that's what Lisa calls them. The girls do a thorough house cleaning on that day. They do blinds, fan blades, baseboards, etc. They clean out all kitchen cabinets, the refrigerator, etc. Then, the rest of the week, they do the daily cleaning of the bathrooms, vacuuming and dusting. That way, our house stays in proper order. Each Sunday, the girls receive their chore list for the coming week. It changes week by week, so that everyone gets to take a part in everything.

What does the old rugged cross mean to you? Is it just a pretty ornament to wear around your neck? Or is it something that you really cling to and cherish? Let's take a look at the words of an old song and re-examine what the cross means to us today. Let's don't let it become too familiar and trite.

So, I'll cherish the old rugged cross; till my trophies at last I lay down. I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown." Do you cherish that old rugged cross today? Are you clinging to it? Does it have a wondrous attraction for you? Do you love it because that's where your Savior bled and died for you? Let's get back to the cross!

..........We had a great weekend. The girls got to kind of kick back and enjoy their Saturday. We have a busy week coming up, so we wanted everyone to rest up and get ready. Our new lady, Pam, is getting all the drugs out of her system, so she still hasn't come all the way around. It takes several days for a person's mind to start clearing. In fact, it really takes about 6 months for the mind to start functioning as it should after years of drug usage.

..........We are inviting all of you to a conference this weekend in LaGrange. It will be Friday and Saturday and is going to be absolutely awesome. We are all going to allow the Lord to break us and mold us. We are planning on coming back changed. The P.H. girls will be giving testimonies Saturday morning at the conference. If you are interested, please e-mail me for directions, times, etc. We are staying in a local hotel. It you would like a room, let me know and I will give you all the info you need.

..........Next Sunday night at Rock Springs, we will have the evening service. We will be presenting a power point presentation that we think is going to be really, really powerful. Then, we will be giving testimonies. You are all invited to come. The service starts at 6 P.M.

The Word of God tells us that "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." In other words, how we think determines how we act. So, what we think about is a vital key to what kind of life we will have. We actually become what we tell ourselves. If we tell ourselves that we are no good, sorry, a failure, etc., then we will literally become that person. If we tell ourselves that we cannot do something, then that thought will come true.

If we are always confessing our weaknesses and failures, we are building weakness and failure into our consciousness. A wrong confession is the confession of defeat, failure, and of the supremacy of satan. Talking about the devil all the time, how he has hindered us and how he is holding us in bondage is a confession of defeat. It glorifies the devil and is an unconscious declaration that our Father is a failure.

So, let's start telling ourselves the truth! God's Word tells us that we are more than conquerors; that we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; that God always causes us to triumph in Christ; that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world, etc. Why don't we start thinking on these things and telling ourselves the truth rather than telling ourselves the lies of satan. Let's get our minds out of the world and onto heavenly things. Let's think about Jesus all day long and glorify and praise Him and tell ourselves what He says about things rather than what we say! If we want a different life, then we need to start thinking differently. After all, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."

..........We had an awesome prayer meeting last night. One Wednesday night a month, we have a prayer meeting with the board members for the Potter's House. That is a good chance for us all to get together, for them to see what all is going on in the ministry, for them to meet the new girls, and for us to pray for the ministry and for all our ladies. It is also a great time for us to discuss anything that we might need to talk about. We always come away so blessed and so touched. I really thank God for our wonderful, God-fearing, loving, supportive board members. They are great!

..........We got another new girl yesterday, Gwen. We are really praying for these new ones, because they come in pretty hard and pretty rough. We give them about a week to settle in...and, if they don't, we will ask them to leave. We are not putting up with any rebellious attitudes or with laziness or with indifference. We're not interested in providing someone a bed to sleep in and a place to kick back. We are a Christian discipleship program and we want ladies who are serious about God, serious about a total life change, and serious about how they use their time at the P.H. We have lots of homework, book reports, Bible studies, etc.....it is not for the lazy. Also, it is vital that we be in unity, because the Holy Spirit will withdraw His presence if there is disunity. So, anyone who causes division among the household will be asked to leave. We want a Godly home that is Christ-centered and Christ-honoring in every respect.