Thursday, 14 August 2008
-
May GOD bless Hannah Overton and Family
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ; 8-4-2008
Psalm 13:1-2 “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long shall I wrestle with my thoughts and everyday have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
How often we cry out to God, “Why me?” We feel that we deserve better and hold on to our self pity. Many even get mad at God when things don’t go exactly as they feel they should, saying, “Why should I put my hope in a God who allows suffering?” But did God ever promise us a bed of roses? Ps.37:39-40 says, “But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord. He is their strength in the time of trouble; the Lord shall help them and deliver them… How is He going to be our strength in the time of trouble if we are never in trouble? 1Peter 4:12 says, “Beloved, don’t be surprised at the fiery trial which is trying you, as though something strange has happened to you.” James 1:2 says, “My brethren count it all joy when you fall into various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience, but let patience have its work that you may be perfect & complete lacking nothing!” So, were going to have troubles in this world. Does that mean we don’t have a loving God? Ps.103:13-14 says, “As a father pities his children so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame. He knows we are but dust.” 1Peter 5:7-8 says, “Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you. Be sober and alert your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 2 Tim. 3:12 says, “In fact everyone who lives a godly life will be persecuted” We have troubles because we still live in this world with a very real enemy seeking to devour us, but our defense is in God who is mighty to save! I’ve been reading the Chronicles of Narnia. In the 1st book, The Magicians Nephew, there is an encounter between Aslan and Digory which really gave me a picture of Christ’s love. Digory’s mother was dying and he asked Aslan to give him something to cure her. Aslan looked at him in love; tears flowing from his eyes so much so that Digory felt Aslan may hurt more for his mother than even he did. Aslan said, “My son I know grief is great, but I have to think of hundreds of years in the life of all of Narnia, Evil had come into the land and Aslan wanted Digory to help protect the Narnians. If he was going to do this he had to sacrifice his mothers healing for now. Aslan then stooped and gave him a kiss that gave him the strength and courage for the task ahead. Aslan gave him what he needed to save the Narnians from years of misery and in the end he did heal his mother. He also explained that had he healed her earlier it would have only ended in hurt for them both. He reminded him that what he gives brings joy. Ps. 84:11 says, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield. He gives grace and glory. No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” He is not an uncaring God, but a God who cares for us eternally. He cares about teaching us and growing us and making us useful vessels for Him, but He also cares about our feelings. He created our feelings and wants to bring us joy. He knows what will be best for us even when we don’t understand. As I read of Aslan and Digory, I saw my God in tears over my pain. He does care about how I miss my family and how it hurts to have people lie about you, ect. He also has to look at all these people who may not be saved from this evil world if someone doesn’t help them see He’s waiting to save them. He also kisses me with His strength and courage for each day, and He will withhold no good thing from me. He’ll give me the grace for this journey and bring me through it delivering me from all my trouble. Ps.34:19 says, “The righteous will have many troubles but God will deliver out of them all.” Although we don’t always seem to understand or feel like life is fair we can’t say God doesn’t care or isn’t there. He is God, who are we to say we know what’s best. We need to trust because we believe like Paul says in 2 Tim. 1:26 “For I know who I have believed and I am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day. Our Savior is faithful and even in the dark night we can trust Him who knows the way. I continue to have many ministry opportunities in here. New people are wanting to do Healed and Set Free. Also I have started a new study with 3 of the ladies that have completed Healed and Set Free. As I wake each day I am reminded of all I took for granted, not only being with my family but also the fellowship and encouragement of a church family near by. I was surrounded by Christians most of my life and I long for that fellowship but as I long for that I learn to cling more and more to my Savior who is the ultimate one who can fill that void. I see how He blessed me so much surrounding me with people who could help train me in my walk with Him and prepare me for this time. I’ve been blessed recently to have some in here longing to grow in Christ and learning to focus more on Him each day. That is an encouragement to me. I pray that these continue to grow and can continue to spread Christ love even after I’m gone, spreading Him everywhere. There have been some people spreading rumors about my case and not being so nice, soon there will possibly be more media coverage which may add to this so please keep that in prayer. We are still waiting on the appellate court to look at my case and praying the truth of my innocence is clear and they overturn my case. My family is doing ok. The kids came to see me last weekend and we had a good visit. God blessed me with the time to really talk to them and the strength to have a fun visit even though I had an emotional week. Andrew’s birthday was this last week and a new wave of grief really hit me hard. I miss him so much. I cried many tears and didn’t want to get out of bed. But God comforted me. Since my family went through so much extra stress right after his death we didn’t get to grieve normally and I think I needed to grieve some more & I’m probably not done. I don’t think you can be ‘till heaven when we’re reunited. Aug. 9th is my and Larry’s 11th anniversary, but I see God carrying us through this and using this to grow our marriage. I fall in love with my husband more each day. It’s amazing that after 11yrs. I still get butterflies when he comes to see me. My blood pressure continues to be high so please keep praying for that. Keep my family in prayer that God would continue to hold us and give us peace in the midst of this. That He would continue to bond us together more and more in Him and would quickly bring me home. Please continue to pray for the judges, that they would really pay attention to my case and do something about it. Please pray for my ministry opportunities in here. Pray for these women, for their eyes to open to the truth and for them to desire to walk with Christ. Pray for me to be a light in this dark place, an example of Christ love, and a willing vessel for Him to use. Although we have pain in this world, I pray that you will all continue to see our loving Father cares and hold onto Him, praising Him for He knows what’s best. Therefore my beloved, you whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, stand firm in the Lord, Dear Friends!
In His Hands,
Hannah
1Peter 2:15 “For it is the will of God that by doing good you may put to silence the foolish talk of ignorant men.
PS. I’ve been told that my other letters have been put on the website so for those of you who’ve said you may not have received them all feel free to look on there. Love Ya!
-
recommend
- recs 0
-
share
-
email
- sent 0
Post a Comment