Weekend Worship at Risen Son Missionary Baptist Church, Saline County, Arkansas

Came across this little church yesterday morning when I went looking for an old high school friend in Saline County, Arkansas.

It took me back to another era--that of my childhood. This church looks so much like the one I attended as a child except mine did not have the addition on the back and it was a different denomination.

I would love to see what this church looks like on the inside--what remnants of the past still remain intact, if any. The one thing I hope holds true is this:

The God Who was the God of our forefathers, our ancestors is the same God today. He does not change. With Him there is no shadow of turning, no lies to make right, no harsh words to try to retract, no hidden agendas or bad thoughts......only loyalty, faithfulness, love, mercy and grace of the highest order.

Have a wonderful weekend, my friend, as you and yours worship the great God of the universe through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Loving you,
Dianne

Oh, BTW, thought you might be interested to know these pictures were taken with my IPhone.

Uninhibited Personified!

Hope your day is as bright and happy as these pictures of my totally uninhibited granddaughter's antics. Remember when life was like this? Don't think it was ever like that for me in this earthly body but thank God in my spirit I can rejoice like this everyday. That is what God wants for us--no worries and to cast all of our care upon Him.

Loving You,
Dianne

Beautiful Ballerina

We've had a very busy last few days. The guys from Renewal Ranch traveled to Tulsa, OK to give their testimony at South Lakewood Baptist Church. We traveled with them and three of the guys stayed with our son and his wife and family along with me and Larry.

One of the treats of being in Tulsa this past weekend was getting to watch our 10 year old granddaughter dance in competition at Union Performing Arts Center. I took the above picture with my IPhone in the lobby. No pictures were allowed in the actual competition.

The service at South Lakewood was wonderful and God's presence was so sweet. James, Caleb, Michael and Charles gave their testimonies. The church provided a wonderful potluck luncheon for us and Michael Taylor's mom and dad, Kay and Bill Taylor, provided dinner for us at the new LaFortune Golf Course restaurant on Saturday night.

The guys in Kay and Bill Taylor's side yard--the tree trunk to the
left has a carved bear on the top.  He is wearing a RR cap.

We took the guys to Bass Pro Shop on Sunday afternoon and then back to the ranch.

It was a long weekend but I enjoyed Mother's Day so much--got to be with one of my sons and his family plus all eleven of my RR sons. What a great day it was. Thank you, Kyle, for the rose even if it was picked out of an off-limits flower bed.

Ashton, you did a great job and Noelle I always love being with you and your contagious laughter and fun.

Thank you, Dree, for an awesome meal on Friday night and Sunday morning and for housing three of the guys. I love you all.

His Whole Body

Larry and I were not a part of the Summit congregation 12 years ago--we lived in Tulsa then--but did go to the Summit last night and then swung by First Baptist on the way home since they were still meeting. It was almost over when we got there but we did get to hear a couple of great testimonies.

The following was taken from our church's website at www.thesummitchurch.org

"Last night was the answer to a 12-year prayer for many people. Twelve years ago The Summit Church began out of turmoil and conflict in a sister church in Little Rock. Although I have confidence that the start of The Summit was the absolute right thing to do in that situation and the years have indicated that by God's grace, there was a lot of pain in that moment.

Last night folks met at The Summit Church to pray-beginning the fifth week of unscheduled, spontaneous prayer.

But also, a group of people from The Summit were invited to their former church, First Baptist Church in Little Rock by their pastor and people. They are beginning "First Monday" prayer meetings and asked if we would share what God has been doing. The pastor asked me to share and after giving a report of God's activity in the city and at The Summit, we opened up the microphone. The first lady to share had lost her husband and business in the last few months. Not only did the "two churches" gather (there were roughly 75-125 people from each congregation, perhaps 200-250 total) but they joined in prayer and offering for this dear lady and $1500 was given immediately.

Several others shared, but then one sister from First Baptist stood to confess that she had been critical and a part of the problem that led to the division of the two churches. She had confessed this to the Lord and to their church but had not had opportunity to ask our forgiveness of The Summit and also of me (Bill). It was a beautiful moment of reconciliation which opened the door for multiple people to come and express their heart and receive forgiveness.

For my part (Bill), although I felt I had forgiven people for what happened during those days, I had not loved as Christ desires and sought the church's forgiveness for that. The love of God was "shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit" (Romans 5:5) for them. Before the night was over there was love and grace poured out upon us all...a wonderful beginning of reconciliation and healing. As I left the parking lot 4 hours after I had entered I realized, "This chapter is closed and redeemed fully by the grace of God in my own heart."

I wonder, if God chooses to spread His work of revival and spiritual awakening around the city, if we would not see many such meetings occurring between churches? May God to whatever is necessary to purify and unify His Bride. "As far as it lies within you, be at peace with ALL men" is the admonition from Scripture (Romans 12:16). We are even to forgive and "love your enemies." Jesus said, "If you come to give your offering and realize that your brother has something against you, leave your offering and go be reconciled." (Matthew 5). This may be something they hold LEGITIMATELY or ILLEGITIMATELY against you. Regardless, it is always the humble believers job to see reconciliation and unity as far as possible."

May God heal His WHOLE BODY in the city!

We meet again at The Summit for prayer at 7 PM...praying for the whole church in this region!

And the River Flows

The river of God's mercies and grace is continuing to flow here in Little Rock.

Tonight we will be starting our fifth week of revival--I only remember one other moving of God's Spirit like this--when I was a young girl of about seven--A W.V. Grant revival in Malvern, Arkansas--we attended a tent revival every night for forty-two nights if my memory serves me correctly.

Other churches in our area (and actually all over the nation) are calling and emailing and asking us to pray that a similar revival will break out in their areas. Oh my friend, I pray for this--I would give anything for every church in America to experience the freedom and complete joy that God has chosen to bestow upon us--I don't understand it--I don't know why "us."

When I say all over the nation--week before last we had a young housewife who got up early one morning and drove from her home in North Carolina to be with us in service that night--there are hundreds of stories to be told--stories of amazement and awe!

I definitely believe God wants to do this all over the world--to pour out His Spirit upon all flesh--

If I had to put my finger on one key to revival, it would be obedience and prayer.

The putting away of pride in the form of admitting anger, resentment, bitterness, malice, envy, strife, greed, racism, -- and every time I would think that every sin possible to mankind had been dealt with--the next night God would choose to focus on a certain area of sin and bring it to light--expose the deeds of darkness--

It seems that God cannot wait to answer our prayers--we are seeing such mighty answers to prayer--and the Spirit of giving is almost unfathomable--to date--that we know of--over $25,000 and a Ford Explorer has been given to people in need--our people and others who just come in off the streets--or who drove from North Carolina--our people gave the young lady who drove from N.C. over $1000 to help with her return expenses home.

Please, please know that I am not bragging on our church or our people. I am bragging on God. This is the heart of God we are seeing--the heart of God reaching out to help those who are hurting--

Yesterday, we had a young lady come forward who said and I paraphrase--"I wish I was coming forward to rededicate my life or to be baptized but in truth I don't believe in God or prayer anymore--and then in tears asked us to pray that her faith would be restored."

If someone comes asking for prayer for any need, dozens of people gather eagerly around that person to pray--

Oh my precious friend, won't you fall on your face before God today and beseech God to bring His kind of revival to your state, to your city, your town, your church--and if you are already having a revival, I am so glad--we have seen several churches in our area starting to gather together and having similar outpourings of God's grace-- However He chooses to bless you or deal with us, that is what I desire!

All praise and honor and glory go to our Lord Jesus Christ--it is His sovereignty, His mercy, His grace whereby we are blessed like this and we pray this for you and yours.

Have a blessed and wonderful week,
Dianne

You can read more of the details here--