Wednesday, June 16, 2021
Is saying I was brought out of drug addiction. Freed from
drinking, Hooked on porn or any number of other had things. I could say I have
a testimony. I could say this is how it is now versing then.
I suppose I have a different Testimony one that says, I had
a dad and mom that raised me to love and fear God. Parents that drug me to
Church no matter what.
So, do I have a testimony? Yes, we all have a testimony, it does
not have to be a down. I was protected If
set apart from the world and hated every minute of it.
I did not date until I was 18 and could go out much then. I
had to wear dresses all the time and below my knees. I could not wear makeup
nor cut my hair. If I went anywhere it had to do with Church.
Maybe you A testimony can understand why I always felt
trapped. When I did get married, I felt like I was free from a jail of some
sort. So, the first 7 years I was married not going to Church was kind of like
being free.
I always wanted to write but never got an education on
writing. Really, I cannot even speak grammar correct much less write it.
My dad was on his way to being an alcoholic when God stopped
him and turned his life around.
My dad helped build the first two Churches on the spot of
ground where Salt Life Church now sets.
While raising my children I was out of church for a few
years, but my mom and dad made sure that my children went to church just like
they made sure that I was there.
Even though I did not go to church I prayed and trusted God
to strengthen me.
Before I got married, I went to church 7 years without
missing one day.
After I got married, I went 7 years without going to church.
For a few years I went off and on. On special occasions.
I guess my reason for not going to church was my husband he did
not go to church, so I just stayed home to please him. Plus, the way the Church
of God believed, I felt like I was a hypocrite.
After getting used to this way of life that gave me some
freedom, I did not believe in the Church of God anymore. I could not say
anything wrong with going to the movie wearing pants or just living my life the
way I was Living it. I never drank alcohol, never smoked, and didn’t use bad
language.
I did wish I had a husband that was a church going person. I
prayed things would change but they never did.
After my children were grown, I needed something, my oldest son
kept telling me things would be different if gave be it another try.
So, in 2003 I went back to church and my life has been so
much better.
The thing is I
am still living my life the way I was living it when I was out of Church.
The church changed I did not. people go to the movie people wear makeup.
Okay the most important thing is believing in God and trust
in God and praying and do what the Bible.
Speaks. Faith is
believing and I have always believed. I never stopped believing.
Sometimes I wonder if I should just make a new start. But if
I think about leaving to be on my own my husband has a fit.
He has told me several times he is going to change. I do not
think it is going to happen.
I do not want to lose faith in the Fact God can do anything,
so I stay. I am getting closer to the place that I want to get go.
Something I read
Hearing is not believing.
Fear is a lie – that we believe. The lie itself is not fear,
its merely a lie from the enemy planted in our heads to instill fear. A lie is
powerless unless we believe them. Like the way a drug is just a pill until its ingested.
Once swallowed and is carried through our blood stream it
become a drug. It does not work until it is fed by environment needs. In other
words that pill is nothing more than a pill until we put it in our bloodstream then
it becomes a drug.
The same is true about the promises of Gods words- They are
just promising on a page unless we believe them. As soon as we believe them the
power they hold is released into our lives and we can experience an indescribable
peace that passes all understanding.
We are always faced with what do you believe, it is a
choice. I choose to believe every word of the bible.
This is something I read and just wanted to write it down. I believe that it is true. You must read the
words and believe them and live them.
Hearing is not believing – believing is reading the words in
the bible and believing.
I have been through so much in the last 2 years, but I can
say God has been at my side and giving me strength to get pass my weaknesses. I sit here alone and think I want to be with my
loved ones that are gone. I have too
much here to really want that. When God gets ready, I am ready. I know that an angel
will be waiting to take my hand when I take my last breath.
History of the Malvern Church of God
Prayer meetings were held in the home of Brother and Sister
Ross for several months. In 1955 a brush arbor was erected; God Blessed, souls
were saved, and people were healed. After three or four weeks a tent was set up
and they had a good old-fashioned revival. The floor consisted of wood
shavings. Many of the people went home with the savings on their clothes and
shoes. No one seem to care because they were so happy in the Lord and rejoicing
over folks being saved and filled with the Holy Ghost. Brother and Sister Ross
wanted a place to worship close to home. They had about 5 cabins rented to
people called Dixie Camp. Brother and Sister Ross donated a piece of land for
the Church. The Church took on this name and the men begin to work in the
afternoon after work building the first Church. This is where my mom and Dad
gave their hearts to God and never looked back. My dad worked on building the
first Church. I had grandparents on both sides and many aunts and uncles going
to Dixie Curve. Services were held in the new building before it was finished.
It was lit with kerosene lamps and heated with a kerosene stove. Those were the
days. People filled the building and so
numerous that they were standing on the outside. Sidney Norwood preached for a
while, then Brother Homer Cotton took over. On September 20, 1955, Brother
Homer Cotton contracted John Best, District overseer fir the Church of God.
State Overseer for the Church of God G.W. Hodges and district overseer John
Best came down and the property was deeded to the Church of God. The Church was
organized on Saturday night, September 26, 1955, with 23 charter members of
which my dad and mom were part of. My dad was the last Charter member to die in
2000. The ladies quilted at 6.00 a quilt to help with the expenses of the new
building. Electricity was put in the small church. Then, Brother Best and
Brother Ramsey brought some men and lumber and built on to the front of the
church making it larger. Brother Cotton purchased folding chairs and ask all
who could to buy a chair or two. Soon there was plenty of chairs. The men built
a pulpit and an altar. The Church was called Dixie Corner Church of God.
Brother Cotton resigned on February 19, 1956; Brother Ralph Vick was appointed
as pastor. With donations and Mr. Norwood's lumber Company, work was started on
pews, and a new pulpit and altars. Help was provided by Brother Best and
Brother Ramsey, soon we had great seats to sat on. On July 19, 1957, Brother
Vick left, and Brother and Sister Carl Cody joined us as our pastor. At this time,
the church did not have a parsonage A house was rented on Fairview Street for
Brother and Sister Cody and their Family.
At this time, we were having Sunday School in the Cabins
that the Rosses had. I remember very well having Sunday School class in the
cabins it was an adventure. We also had an outside bathroom there was a water
faucet outside close the bathroom. There were windows down the side of the
building I remember my mom would take us 4 children out and put us in the car
to sleep if it were getting late. Even outside you could hear the worshiping
going on. Brother Cody had a son that was a minister he helped with teaching
the children. Brother Cody was there about 6 years then Brother Mercer came in
September 16, 1962.
Brother and Sister Mercer was the son- in law of our State
Overseer, H L. Rose. They were good people and a young married couple. We finished
sheetrock on the new Sunday School rooms while The Mercers were there and
painted inside and outside. In April 1963, our Church was dedicated, by State
Overseer Rose. In late spring 1964 the Mercer left to go to Ohio. Our new
Pastor was Brother and Sister Henderson. Brother and Sister Henderson were
another young couple and ready to go the work for our Church. While the
Henderson’s were there the church was blessed with a parsonage, located in
North Malvern. In the latter part of 1966, the Henderson’s left. Brother Tommy
and Sister Kathy had become particularly important to the young people and
everyone else. it was hard to see them go. They were easy people to talk
to. I remember I told them that when I
grew up, I wanted to be a singer and a song writer. (Still working on that).
Brother and Sister Abbott came next, and more improvements were made to the
parsonage. Also, the Church was getting to be run - down. Brother Abbot wanted
to build a new Church. God blessed us as the building went up. The parsonage
was paid for, and the Church brought another piece of land from Brother and
Sister Ross. Brother Abbott married my husband and me in 1970. Brother Larry
Cox followed the Abbotts. Larry Cox only stayed a few months. The Lord was
leading him to evangelistic work. Brother James Cody was sent to pastor I am
sorry to say that a long while I had been out of church. While my kids were
growing up, I tried several Churches, but none were my Church like the Malvern
Church of God. By now the name had Changed to The Malvern Church of God.
Brother James Cody was sent to pastor. They lived in the old parsonage for a
while and a new one was bought. Brother Jewel Butler came to pastor in July 14,
1978. While he was there, he worked on church growth. Under his leadership the
church was remodeled, restrooms and a fellowship hall were added. Brother David
Gosnell came to pastor on March 19, 1980. Brother Gosnell stayed until
September 22, 1980. Brother Leo Green and his wife came next. They were
blessing to the church. Doing fundraiser and blessing the Church with other
ways to make money. Brother and sister Kilgore came next in August 30, 1981. He
accomplished a lot while he was at the church. he went to work on matching the pale
sling. he also put in carpet in the church, and he insulated the walls and the
attic. The Kilgores were good singers and ministers. On March 18, 1984, Brother
and Sister Edge came they also made improvements. August 1986 Brother John
Abbott returned. He was known for singing Ninety- Nine and a half Won't Do.
Brother Bobby Major's came in August 1, 1991. Then Brother George O'Dell came
in March 1994. next was Brother Bill Grayon March 3, 1994. Brother Charles Rush
came on December 25, 1994. Brother Bobby Rosson came on November 1, 2000. My
dad passed in June of 2000, so Pastor Bobby missed meeting a great man of God.
I returned in 2002 giving my heart back to God. My son was my influence on
returning.
Pastor Bobby Rosson
and Tricia Rosson made my returning to the Church a great thing. They made me
feel like I had never left. They quickly
became family. I Love both.
God gives me words usually at night. For several years
I sleep with a Bible and a tablet to write on a lot.
In 2012 God gave me my first vision and or dream
I had been praying and fasting for our church to not go
under.
After Bro Broach left everyone expected the church to go
under.
We had a new building, and I knew God did not have plans for
this Church to go under.
One night after praying half the night. A voice said, (I
will answer your prayers). I was overwhelmed by it all, knowing that a voice
from nowhere just spoke to me. I went back to sleep and had a dream.
In July of 2012, our
Church was down to maybe 5 or 6 people. I felt like I was the only one
concerned about the future of the Malvern Church of God. I know that I was not,
but I still felt that way.
Before Bro. Broach left, he had us praying and fasting for
our Church. I prayed and fasted and did not feel like we were getting anywhere.
After Bro Broach left, I knew our Church was going died.
Everyone had left. Darrell and Danell were gone.
Lyndall and Nettie were gone. Bryan and Tina were gone.
There was no one here to push us to pray, it was in my hands
I felt.
So, I prayed day and night and kept going to church even
when maybe 4 people showed up.
I had talked to Les Higgins, and he agreed with me that the
Church had a future.
The more I prayed the more I did not think we had a chance.
Les Higgins sent one guy to preach, and he want to stay as
pastor. We had a vote; he had said he would only stay if he had a 100 % vote.
Everyone voted for him to stay but me. I told him not to decide on the way I
voted. He said he could not stay without 100% so he did not stay.
I was then afraid I messed up I voted against a person
wanting to try and make it work.
After he left Les sent someone just to keep the doors open.
I seem to be praying day and night about my Church nothing
else seem to matter to me.
I had my dream in May of 2012.
Ricky Harris came in May of 2012 to be voted in but did not
stay. It was all a part of Gods plan I did not understand it then. I am now seeing
a bigger picture of what God was trying to show me. You may think I am an old
lady just talking, but as time passes, I am seeing more and more of that dream
and what it really meant and still means.
Dream
One night I heard a
voice it said, “I will answer your prayers”.
I am not a person that hears from God, I am a person that
prays to God and someone else listens.
I was keeping the Church clean and getting there early to
open the doors.
Linda and I keeping our job done as far as cleaning.
After I heard the voice I went back to sleep, I had a dream.
God told me I have a group of people I am going to fill the Church with. In my
dream I could see people in chairs coming down from the ceiling
They kept coming until the Church was full.
In my dream, God said, I have plans for this Church and he
said to wait.
Well, I do not wait very well; I took it up on myself to
find a group of people. I found a group, but it was not the right time. I do
believe some of the people were the right people. It just was not the right time.
I have found out that you do not push God. I know God has
Plans for our Church and with all my heart I think Pastor Dave and Kristy are
the people to make it happen.
Like I said I am the person that prays not the person that
hears God.
But since that night God has put a lot of things in my heart
and I fill like he is telling me the Church needs to come together and pray and
fast.
I do not want anyone
to listen to anything I have to say just make sure they listen to what God has
to say.
I believe with all my heart; Pastor Dave is the right person
to get this Church moving.
And he has done that.
I know that getting a head of God will just slow the
process. I am not saying now is not the time I am saying we “The Church” should
pray and know together we are moving with God not ahead of God.
The year 2020 was a not the best year for me.
This is
something I wrote last year from notes that I had from 2012
Some added
information from present
In July of
2012 our Church was down to maybe 5 or 6 people. I felt like I was the only one
concerned about the future of the Malvern Church of God. I know that I wasn’t,
but I still felt that way.
Before Bro.
Broach left, he had us praying and fasting for our Church. I prayed and fasted
and didn’t feel like we were getting anywhere.
After Bro
Broach left, I knew our Church was going died. Everyone had left. Darrell and
Danell were gone.
Lyndall and
Nettie were gone. Bryan and Tina were gone.
There was no
one here to push us to pray, it was in my hands I felt.
So, I prayed
day and night and kept going to church even when maybe 4 people showed up.
I had talked
to Les Higgins and he agreed with me that the Church had a future.
The more I
prayed the more I didn’t think we had a chance.
Les Higgins
sent one guy to preach and he wanted to stay as pastor. We had a vote, he had
said he would only stay if he had a 100 % vote. He felt that God only wanted
him to stay if he had 100%. Everyone
voted for him to stay except me. I told him not to decide on the way I voted.
He said he couldn’t stay without 100% so he didn’t stay.
I was then afraid
I messed up I voted against a person wanting to try and make it work.
After he
left Les sent others just to keep the doors open.
I seem to be
praying day and night about my Church nothing else seem to matter to me.
.
With the
return of Pastor Bobby things were looking up.
When things
went south again. I stayed strong in my
faith.
God knew
what was going to happen and he had a plan, he let me know about it in 2012.
I know that
Gods hand is and will be in our Church.
January 2, 2019
I now know more
than ever When I had my dream, all I wanted was for things to happen. Things
were not meant to happen then. God has a
time and I had to wait.
I see now
that things are coming together the way they are supposed to.
In my dream
God gave me a Church and said I will bring the people.
I misunderstood
and thought he was sending the pastor also.
I look back
now and I am amazed at what God was telling me and what I understood.
God said I’m
bringing the people he brought them from mostly the same place. He said I’ll
fill this Church all you must do is stand up for me.
It’s kind of
what is happening now with the fast. Because it all started with my first
serious fast. I trusted God to do his part if I done mine.
Since June
of 2012, there have had several times when I fasted. I also know that God brings me closer to him
every time.
This may not
interest any one but me, but I am at amazed at what I know God can and will do.
I will fast
for our Church and for God to put a light under everyone that’s calls on his
name in our Church.
God gives me
things to write down and I try too, sometimes I think later but later I will
forget.
God in the
coming year, give me the Faith to live by, the grace to grow, and the love to
walk in your path.
Light my
path so I will see, what your heart desires of me.
In the Name of Jesus Amen
1/2/2019
10:42:20 PM
June 16, 2021 I am ready for another fast
Written the
first of 2108 to help me remember my dream.
Dream
One night I heard a voice it said, “I will
answer your prayers”.
I am not a
person that hears from God, I am a person that prays to God and someone else
listens.
I was
keeping the Church clean and getting there early to open the doors.
After I
heard the voice I went back to sleep, I had a dream. God told me I have a group
of people I am going to fill the Church with. In my dream I could see people in
chairs coming down from the ceiling
They kept
coming until the Church was full.
In my dream,
God said, I have plans for this Church and he said to wait.
Well I don’t
wait very well, I took it up on myself to find a group of people. I found a group,
but it was not the right time. I do believe some of the people were the right
people. It just wasn’t the right time.
I have found
out that you don’t push God. I know God has Plans for our Church and with all
my heart I think Pastor Dave and Kristy are the people to make it happen.
Like I said
I am the person that prays not the person that hears God.
But since
that night God has put a lot of things in my heart and I fill like he is
telling me the Church needs to come together and pray and fast.
I don’t want anyone to listen to anything I
have to say just make sure they listen to what God has to say.
I believe
with all my heart; Pastor Dave is the right person to get this Church moving.
And he has
done that.
I know that
getting a head of God will just slow the process. I am not saying now is not
the time I am saying we “The Church” should pray and know together we are
moving with God not ahead of God.
I’m finding that grief is not something you go through and
it's gone.
Days weeks months go by and I’m okay then something reminds
me of you and I’m in tears again.
My mom told me don’t put flowers on My grave after I’ve dyed
if you want to give me flowers give me flowers while I’m living. My
heart is just as strong today as it was the day she died almost 35 years ago I
keep telling myself I should be over this I will never be over it until God
tells me home.
I’ve lost just about every family member except a child I
pray to God that that one thing you will spare me from. I lost a mother who
carried me and said her for nine months I lost a father who stood by me no
matter what the cost to him I lost it but I lost brothers who said mess with my
sister and you mess with me I lost a sister there was a friend and much more I
lost a nephew that was as close as a child I've lost friends uncles and cousins
grandparents United I've lost them.
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be renewed yet
my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant with my people
should be removed saith the Lord who has compassion on Isaiah 5 and 10.
I remember Joe he lost everything but he never lost his
faith in God I’m writing down these things to help me process and learn and
learn the lesson God has for me the Lord gives me strength.
I will eventually die as the ones before me did I don't feel
afraid when my time comes I don’t fear because the source is my comfort and my
strength is in God. Never give up on your faith hold on to it death is a
mystery to us only God sees the full picture God knows how the events will play
out in his perfect plan.
Sometimes the only way to help a grieving friend is just
pray for the person .sometimes the only way to move on is to share share
pictures share favorite memories share favorite food.
Grief is debilitating after my dad died I was relieved I
shouldn’t have been relieved I had spent the last month watching him and trying
to give him something to live for. I love my dad and I was relieved he had was
gone I was relieved his pain was gone I could never rest in the stress was
gone.
The anger I had that God was still there why should I be
angry at God when he just answered the prayer I’ve been praying my prayers were
to take the pain away let my dead rest. Got to take the pain away and now he’s
resting in heaven.
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
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This is something I wrote last year from notes that I had from 2012 Some added information from present In July of 2012 our Church was...
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SHOW ME THE WAY PUT YOUR HAND ON MY SHOULDER AND TELL ME IT’S OK DON’T LET ME STRAY TO FAR AWAY TEACH ME TO LISTEN AND HEAR W...
