Dear friends,
This is the final volume 5 for the year. Has it been that long already? We are going into the 6th year already? The time really flies, one more reason to always be in His will. We could easily waste a lifetime before we know it. Even just for own family it is good, and biblical, to write things down. It reminds us of how much we have to thank Him for. Going over this past years newsletters I notice a real common thread, intimacy with the Father, and a stronger appreciation of children. It is only as I go back to re-read that I realize that the two are inseparable. The closer you get to the Lord the more you appreciate His plan, His blessings, His children. And at the same time greater appreciation for these things brings you closer to His heart. What a great revelation I heard from Heidi Baker one time. She said that the greatest missionary they had ever had come to help spent all her money and time to join them in Africa, then spent her two weeks in the orphanage holding children, just loving them. She not only ministered to the children, she ministered to God in the purest sense. Does that seem like a waste of time to you, to just sit in a rocking chair with a baby who has no family and just sing and worship the Lord? Maybe your ministry ambitions are just that, yours and not His? We follow our own ambitions for one reason only, pride, and we know that God resists the proud. Yet He gives grace to the humble, and we all need more grace. Well that pretty much is my child training seminar in a nutshell, love your child and love Jesus, both at the same time. I can absolutely guarantee that the Glory of God will surround you and you will feel His heart. We have always taught our children to worship as babies, it is simple, hold them while you worship. Haven’t you ever noticed that when the full Glory shows up, the actual Presence of Jesus, that you just feel so much love? Wouldn’t that be the most priceless, everlasting gift you could give to an orphan? How about your own children? Now do you see why the Lord gives us children? Not to keep us busy, but to teach us love. And yet how many of His gifts are neglected, even right here in our own backyards? How many Americans will spend thousands of dollars this month alone to “minister” to needy children this month yet never bring them any Jesus? Is that really ministry or just a way to pat ourselves on the back? I know, I know, yes we have “lost it” gone completely overboard, and we are thankful. This past year has changed us, and we will never be the same. We are absolutely ruined for anything else, serving Jesus is our only desire, nothing else will satisfy any longer. We are praying that you too will “lose it” and go overboard. There is constant singing in our home and April’s most recent song of choice is from a CD a friend gave her, (I’m not sure who wrote the song). But the part she keeps singing is, “..this is the good life, I’ve lost everything........this is the good life, I’ve found everything”. Yes it is a good life when you lose everything (worldly desires) and then gain everything, JESUS! That is where the freedom is. Speaking of freedom, did you know that that is what the Sabbath is really about? The Lord instructs Jeremiah to tell the people not to carry any loads or to do any work as they come through the gates into the city on the Sabbath, to keep it Holy. (Jer 17:19-22) Yet later it appears that Jesus breaks this very command, we know that God never contradicts Himself, so it must be us who is misunderstanding, could it be that we have been taught wrong all these years? Of course we have it is called “religion”. The truths in God’s word are so deep, and we have relied on man’s teachings for so long, it proves how patient He is. Anyway here is the Sabbath, worship! Yep that’s it. Simple enough. Ruth Heflin had it right all along, praise till the spirit of worship comes, worship till the Glory comes, then when the Glory comes, stand in it, ..that’s the Sabbath part, the standing in it. Come to the Lord with no work, (presumptions, man made plans) till worship happens (got to dump those burdens by the wayside) then when Jesus shows up, rest in Him. Keep your time with Him Holy and undefiled, your DAILY time with Him. Then you will have true FREEDOM!!!!! We recently have 4 new tracts on these subjects and more, they will be on the web page soon or you can request them in writing or e-mail from us. I have a hope...is about the awesome honor of raising children for the King. The Lord of the Sabbath...contains a prophetic word to the church about the true Sabbath Day. Safety in submission, don’t’ be a target!... is about the spirit of rebellion and how NOT to welcome it. The Spirit of modesty...is about clothing ourselves with a right heart (it’s not about what you wear!) We are considering putting some of our newsletter teachings in booklet form, would anyone be interested? Still working on the parenting book, just a matter of sitting still long enough. Now for the
BIG NEWS....
MERCY IS HERE!!!!! Yes we have another baby, our 5th daughter, Mercy Anna Raine was born to us October 30th at 5:30 PM. Yes the Lord gave us another in the womb before He took Levi to be with Him. He is a merciful God, full of grace and compassion. He has a big plan. He gave us Mercy’s name and promised her to us before Levi was even born, she is our daily joy. We learn more about Jesus with every child. People ask, “How many children do you want”. I guess a good answer would be, “We will take all of Jesus’ love we can get.”
COUNTY JAIL AND PRISON-There has been a real increase in hunger in both of these places, with increased salvation and miracles, also a door opening for more work at the prison with the Teen Challenge program. We have been with some of these same inmates long enough now to see some real lasting stuff. Then again there are some who have been running from the Lord, one boy who has been hounded by the Lord for years, he is now at the penitentiary, this is the third consecutive correctional facility where he has come face to face with “Jumpin Jim”. Jesus is not giving up on this one. Seventy times seven. What a calling this boy must have on him, and oh how much the Lord must love him. For those of you who remember the testimony, he is the same one who beat Jim in a parking lot about 9 years ago, then cried on his shoulder later in repentance. OHHHHH the love of Jesus.
NEW FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS- Back in August the Lord brought some new friends into our community, we met Tom and Lynn Hayden from Dancing For Him Ministries, they have since moved in locally and have really blessed our lives. I encourage you to check out their website, complete with books and videos, www.dancingforhim.com . They not only teach on worship dancing but operate in the prophetic.
RADIO-WMRB 910 AM TUES NIGHTS 6 PM. We have had many guests this year but one of our favorites by far is brother Tom Hayden from Dancing For Him Ministries. Get on the subject of God’s love and Tom can share for months, truly a man after God’s own heart. He is full of Godly wisdom and always available as the Lord calls.
LOCAL OUTREACH, HOME MEETINGS, COWBOYS FOR CHRIST-We continue to minister in all of these areas and see lots of fruit, and will be starting some local Glory Meetings, where the focus will be on entering into HIS presence. Let us know if you would like to join us!
FAMILY GREETINGS- please check our website at www.maurywebpages.com/glorybound.htm to see our newest family picture and yearly greetings!!!!!!
This past year we have been so absolutely blessed by the body of Christ!
We thank you so much for your prayers and gifts we love you!
Penny & Jim Raine