462 - Revive Us Again, Oh Lord.

Dear Father, yesterday we had our church revival starting up. We have an evangelist from Maryville, Tn. named Morris Anderson. He was born down in Metropolis,Il. and pastored his first church in Eldorado and is now in Maryville, Tn. traveling each week for revivals. It is kind of a funny thought, I didn't know churches still had revivals. Not that God could not come by and revive a church, but I didn't know churches still set aside times for this to take place. To say all that, it has been awesome and we are only into the first day!!

Last night was so wonderful. He spoke from Ps. 84:6 "Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?" He had a wonderful sermon how revival must start with you, or me, individually. That only God can bring it about, and that it will cause for some serious rejoicing! I like that part so much!!

The most sure fire way i know how to revive a dead spirit within myself is to give. Give my time, my money, give of myself, and especially give of the gospel. The latter is the most effective in my life. I have pretty much always been a Christian. I came to know Him at a very young age and so I don't know the story so much of having to deal without Jesus in my life and feeling hopeless and in despair. I knew there was a need in my life, I was presented a way to "get" to heaven, and I wanted to be with my best friend Kathryn Kenderdine. It was just a simple 8 year old problem and Jesus was my answer. I say all that to say that i don't understand completely someone living life for some extended amount of time and knowing something is missing, but not sure what it is. Just going through life knowing there is void and not having the right thing to remedy that.

Friday night as I spoke the ladies were really hanging with me. This church did things a bit different and had me speak first around 6:45pm and them everyone ate after. It was pressure to make sure they didn't just get up and go eat - ha ha. I was wanting to eat myself. But as I rounded the last few minutes I came to my time of asking the ladies if they knew Jesus as their Savior. I had one retarded girl or woman raise her hand and one 4 year old that was sweet as pie also respond. (I have no idea to what degree they understood what they were agreeing too.) I was just about the close that time when a sweet precious little older lady raised her hand on the front row. You could tell she was so scared! She had thought about her decision and finally got up the courage to raise her hand. I am not sure of her age, probably around 65, she prayed to receive Jesus as her Savior!!! That right there is reason for some shoutin' and can revive any soul!! I don't know the other occasions that God has knocked on her door, but isn't it amazing that at 65 years old, or there about, the rest of her life can be dramatically different. Wow! Her heart was given a revival and yet mine was too!! "It is in giving that we receive".

So that was a great evening and such a special time! Thank you, Lord!! Then we got up Saturday and Tucker went over to a friends. Clay, the girls, a friend, and I went to church for a can food collection visitation. We walked up and down some streets of our new house introducing ourselves to our neighbors and asking for donations of canned foods. It was such a neat way to introduce ourselves to the neighbors and surrounding friends. I think most people thought we were trick - o - treating. We were a funny sight. 2 adults and 4 little girls all walking from house to house carrying grocery bags just not with costumes on. But I loved every minute of it. Besides missing Tucker, it was my family doing and giving to the Lord Jesus and the kids could understand why we were doing it. It set in revival!

To me, you can not ask for a better weekend. One where we did something constructive for the Lord as a family and in some small way made a difference in someones life that we may never know or meet. That is enough for me!! Thank you thank you thank you Father for allowing me to be part of that! Thank you that the girls did so well! Thank you for Clay leading us from house to house and being so bold. Thank you for the revival in my heart and what you have going on throughout Carmi and my little church. All in all we had probably 25 or 30 people come to know the Lord yesterday!! One was my friend and her husband and daughter!! It was worth boo-hooing over!!! I love you, Lord. Revive us again!!!

Tonight is Women's and Kids night. Pizza party for the kids at 6pm and then the service. I can't wait!!!