GOD CARES WHERE YOU LIVE

Matthew 19.29 "And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life."

I had been praying for over four years for a larger place for my children and I to live. The Lord had spoke to my heart and said he would answer this prayer. Days passed, weeks passed, months passed, and a few years passed yet I still believed that the Lord would do as he had said. Finally, one day (and it came to pass), the Lord spoke to me and said, "Go over to the corner of your Mama's property and start cleaning up the fence row. You will be moving over there shortly." I had no financial means to build a house or buy a mobile home, yet I believed it would be like the Lord had spoken.

I began to clean up the property. One of my brother-in-laws came by and asked, "What are you doing?" I replied, "I am cleaning up this spot, I will be moving here. The Lord has spoken. He laughed and said, "You don't have any money---there is no way." Well, a few months later, the Lord supplied the money; I bought a double wide mobile home, and moved to the spot where the Lord had said I was to move. Finally, I had my own bedroom. I was a single parent and we had only two bedrooms in our previous home. My two daughters had one bedroom, and my son had the other. I had been sleeping on the couch for four years. Made me appreciate a good bed to sleep in, and I really was thankful to the Lord for answering my prayers in such a marvelous way.

After we had lived there for about four years, the Lord spoke to me and said, "I want you to move to town for awhile. I have some work for you to do there. Sell your place (it included one and a quarter acres) to your nephew." I replied, "Okay, Lord, but he will have to come and ask me, I won't say a word to anyone about selling." Two days later, I was sitting on my back porch and here came my nephew walking down the lane. He came up to me and said, "Uncle Irvin, I was thinking about something. If you ever decided to sell your place, I would like to buy it." I said, "Okay, sold." My nephew bought it just like the Lord had spoken.

I moved to town where the Lord used me in many ways, including leading one of my neighbors to the Lord right before he died. When I moved to town, the Lord had told me I would be moving back to my Mama's property (a different spot) after a season in town. I went to the property, put down a well, and built a barn on the spot where the Lord showed me. Three and a half years later, I moved back. I now have five and a half acres and a better home than I had before. My nephew still has the place he bought from me, and two of my sisters live nearby.

The Lord cares where you live.

Jeremiah 32.8 "So Hanamel mine uncle's son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the Lord, and said unto me, Buy my field, I pray thee, that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin: for the right of inheritance is thine: buy it for thyself. Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD."

Copyright 2005 Irvin L. Rozier

STRONG FOR THE BATTLE

I've fought many a battle while serving my Lord
Faith has been my shield and the Word my sword
Satan has come against me in so many ways
Often the battle has lasted for days and days

Fear not I am with thee said the Lord to me
Be strong in the battle and I will bring victory
Though I grow weary these words ring in my ears
Gives me encouragement and wipes away my fears

Right before deliverance and breakthrough
Satan will do his best to destroy me and you
By sending his wicked fiery darts
To pierce and destroy many hearts

But prayer to the Lord will avail
And give deliverance from evil Satan's hell
The Lord is strong in the midst of turmoil
The wiles of the devil he will foil

I will hold on to Jesus with all my might
He will keep me safe through the fight
Satan thinks he has a grip on my soul
But Jesus sends victory and makes me whole

The Lord gives me strength for the battle
When my faith in Him Satan tries to rattle
The mighty spiritual war is hard to comprehend
When Jesus says enough, the battle will end

Copyright 2005 Irvin L. Rozier

STRONG FOR THE BATTLE

I've fought many a battle while serving my Lord
Faith has been my shield and the Word my sword
Satan has come against me in so many ways
Often the battle has lasted for days and days

Fear not I am with thee said the Lord to me
Be strong in the battle and I will bring victory
Though I grow weary these words ring in my ears
Gives me encouragement and wipes away my fears

Right before deliverance and breakthrough
Satan will do his best to destroy me and you
By sending his wicked fiery darts
To pierce and destroy many hearts

But prayer to the Lord will avail
And give deliverance from evil Satan's hell
The Lord is strong in the midst of turmoil
The wiles of the devil he will foil

I will hold on to Jesus with all my might
He will keep me safe through the fight
Satan thinks he has a grip on my soul
But Jesus sends victory and makes me whole

The Lord gives me strength for the battle
When my faith in Him Satan tries to rattle
The mighty spiritual war is hard to comprehend
When Jesus says enough, the battle will end

Copyright 2005 Irvin L. Rozier

STRONG FOR THE BATTLE

I've fought many a battle while serving my Lord
Faith has been my shield and the Word my sword
Satan has come against me in so many ways
Often the battle has lasted for days and days

Fear not I am with thee said the Lord to me
Be strong in the battle and I will bring victory
Though I grow weary these words ring in my ears
Gives me encouragement and wipes away my fears

Right before deliverance and breakthrough
Satan will do his best to destroy me and you
By sending his wicked fiery darts
To pierce and destroy many hearts

But prayer to the Lord will avail
And give deliverance from evil Satan's hell
The Lord is strong in the midst of turmoil
The wiles of the devil he will foil

I will hold on to Jesus with all my might
He will keep me safe through the fight
Satan thinks he has a grip on my soul
But Jesus sends victory and makes me whole

The Lord gives me strength for the battle
When my faith in Him Satan tries to rattle
The mighty spiritual war is hard to comprehend
When Jesus says enough, the battle will end

Copyright 2005 Irvin L. Rozier

BOGGED DOWN

You know, O Lord, the intent of my heart
Help me, I pray, to do my part
If only you would speak the word this day
All my trials and troubles would go away

Lord, I've been bogged down so long
In this miry clay, I do not belong
My feet are firmly stuck in this bog
Sometimes I feel like I'm in a fog

Your clear direction and guidance I need
Deliver me from this bog I plead
Your word, O Lord, has tried me sorely
I am down and out and feeling poorly

Strengthen my inner man, I do pray
Send help from on high this very day
I'm bogged down in this miry clay
Trying to get out and find the way

At the right hand of the Father you sit
Speak to him about my boggy pit
Lift me up and set me on solid ground
In this boggy pit, I'll no longer be bound

Copyright 2005, Irvin L. Rozier

SOMETHING GOOD IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN

Genesis 50.20 "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."

One day my son, Joel, wanted some sausage patties to cook for breakfast. I told him I'd run down to the local grocery store, Wall's IGA, and get that item plus a few more things. I picked up my hand basket and went back to the meat department. As I approached the meat, I saw a lady I had went to school with. I patted her on the back and said, "Hey, how are you doing?"

The next thing I knew, I was laying on my back about 15 feet away from where I had stood, my glasses were bent and blood was seeping from a small cut on the side of my face. The first thought that came to my mind was, "Lord, why did this happen to me?" The Lord spoke quietly, "They nailed me to the cross." I then knew that the Lord was in control.

I sat up, and there stood a demon possessed man who had been stalking this lady. He had beat on her, and she was trying to get away from him. I asked the store manager to call the police, because in my experience with these types of individuals, I didn't know what to expect next. Innocent people could be seriously hurt. The manger said, "The phone is up front, you can go use it."

I could barely see because of my bent glasses, and I told the man who had hit me not to go anywhere. He was just going to walk out like nothing happened. The verse of scripture, Psalm 105.15, "Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm" came to my mind. I said to myself, "Fellow, you done hit the wrong man."

The police came and took my statement, the lady's and the man's. I went to the Magistrate Court and filed a warrant against the man.

At the courtroom, justice was served, and I got the opportunity to witness to a room full of people. Later, I went to the store manager's church and attended the Sunday School class he taught. He was teaching about Joseph who was wronged by his brothers and sold into slavery. Joseph had seen God's hand in this and did not hold unforgiveness in his heart towards his brothers. I testified in his class what had happened to me in the grocery store and it was uplifting to him and his class.

A few weeks later, I saw the man who hit me in McDonald's. A Christian friend, Mike, and I witnessed to him and prayed for him. He had a history of assaulting men and women but nobody ever took him to court.

Something further good came out of this incident. My jaw had been out of place, and the man's hit knocked it back in place.

Romans 8.28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Irvin L. Rozier

MY HOUSE OF PRAYER A DEN OF THIEVES

Jesus went to the temple one day
His purpose was to kneel and pray
As he approached the entrance door
He saw money changers tables on the floor

With righteous anger, authority and zeal
He cast out all who were not humble and real
Those that were only there to buy and to sell
Items they thought would keep them from hell

With small cords Jesus made a big whip
The tables full of money he did tip
His righteous anger was plain to see
Against those who sold salvation for a fee

Jesus cleansed the temple with force
He rode a donkey, not a rolls royce
Then the blind and the lame came to him
He prayed to the Father and healed all of them

Jesus restored his temple to a house of prayer
He said come unto me, I will meet you there
My temple was meant for worship and praise
And not a place for money to raise

Modern day temples are lavish places
But can you see Jesus on the peoples' faces
All the fine buildings will crumble and fall
No matter how wide, no matter how tall

copyright 2005 Irvin L. Rozier

HOW TO CATCH MANY FISH

Mark 1.17 "And Jesus said unto them, come ye after me and I will make you fishers of men."

One night as I was sleeping, I had an intensely clear dream. I had been meditating on the above scripture before I went to sleep. In my dream, I was driving down a straight and narrow dirt road. I passed by a stagnant pond and there with cane fishing poles were a couple of preachers I knew. The water they were fishing in was scum covered and dirty looking, and the hole they were fishing in was small.

I shouted to them from the road, "Come on! Go with me, I'm going to a really big lake to fish!" They replied, "NO! We are content fishing here; we catch one once in awhile."

As I drove down that narrow road, I observed small stagnant ponds all along the way. People were standing on the banks trying to catch fish. At each pond site, I would stop and ask the fishermen to come with me. The answer was always the same, "NO, we're content here. It's easy fishing, the banks of the pond are clean and even though the water is stagnant, we still catch one once in awhile."

I drove on down the road until it ended. In front of me was an old farm house surrounded by a weather beaten picket fence. An elderly man and woman were sitting on the front porch in their rocking chairs. When they saw me drive up, they got up and walked down the short pathway to the picket fence gate. The elderly gentleman spoke and said, "Sir, you can't go any further until you wrestle with that big old fish that is down in the well." I could clearly see the well. It was an old open style well built of bricks about five feet high and six feet in diameter. It had an iron grate covering the top. I went to the back of my truck, pulled out a heavy fishing line, and a gigantic hook. On the hook I placed a huge piece of meat. As I began to lower the bait in the well, I felt the Spirit of the LORD come on me. I also felt the presence of great evil. Well, I hooked that big old rascal and commenced the battle to bring him out of the well. The whole time I was fighting this fish, I was saying, "Help me Jesus, help me Jesus." I finally brought the great fish out of the water and tied off my line.

The ancient man and woman were watching the entire battle. When it was over, the man spoke and said, "Okay, you can go on behind the house now." I went behind the house, and O my what a sight! The clearest, bluest water (even better than Hawaii where I lived for three years) I had ever laid my eyes on. The beach was covered with clean white sand and there waiting for me was a top of the line fishing boat. As I drove off slowly in that boat, big, beautiful fish started jumping in the boat until it was about to sink! I then woke from my sleep and asked the LORD the meaning of this dream.

The LORD responded to me and said, "The road is the straight and narrow path that leadeth to life. Few find it. The stagnant ponds and fishermen represent the churches of today. They are content with their own little place and don't want to venture out to the unknown. The old fish in the well represents Satan who you will have to wrestle with if you want to catch much fish. The lake full of fish represents the world. The harvest is ripe but the laborers are few. Because you fought with and prevailed over Satan, you will be one of my expert fishermen and I will provide the way and open the doors."

As the LORD spoke these words of wisdom and encouragement to me, I was greatly encouraged and strengthened for the work He had appointed me to do.

Luke 5, verses 6,7 "And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink."

I had this dream in late 1987. Since that time, the LORD has used me greatly to "catch much fish". I have had many battles with the enemy, yet the LORD has always strengthened me and provided what I needed.

THE TOP OF THE HILL IS IN SIGHT

You know, O Lord, the desires of my heart
Wisdom and knowledge to me impart
I long to serve you and do your will
Help me to climb this long steep hill

When I reach the long awaited top
And behold your wonders as I stop
Renew my strength, my faith, my zeal
Let me once more your presence feel

Let your great love envelope me
And your glory and power let me see
The valley has been deep and drear
Your sweet voice I long to hear

When you deliver me from this wilderness
I will tell others of your love and faithfulness
This wilderness time has not been in vain
Sweet fellowship with you I did gain

Valleys and hills are all a part of life's plan
So we can learn to trust Jesus, not man
The top of the hill is in sight
How I rejoice, I have fought the good fight

You have set the times and the seasons
For the valleys you have your reasons
Thank you, O Lord, for your wise ways
You know the number of our days

Copyright 2005, Irvin L. Rozier

OPEN THE DOOR

Jesus I pray that you open the door
Send me to reach the lost and the poor
The broken hearted soul that needs you
Only Your salvation will do

Many doors have been closed in my face
Give me the strength to run the race
Send me to some poor lost soul
To help them reach that heavenly goal

You send servants to preach the truth
Tell others about Abraham, Moses and Ruth
How you rewarded their faith and trust
They live on though their bodies are dust

The laborers are few You have said
Send me to the spiritually dead
Pull back the scales from their eyes
Listen, O Lord, to our cries

Time I know is getting short
Send me to preach and to exhort
Show others the path to true life
Put an end to their conflicts and strife

Surely the last days are here
Maybe today You will appear
To rescue Your children from all harm
Let me, O Lord, sound the alarm

Satan tries to keep us off the straight path
Deliver us, O God, from his wrath
When the perfect time draws nigh
Come, O Lord, and split the sky

Until that time is here, O Lord I pray
Open wide a door today
To tell someone about You
With Your help, this I can do

Copyright 2005 Irvin L. Rozier

A MISSIONARY IN THE PINEY WOODS OF GEORGIA

When one in the U.S.A things of missionaries, we tend to think of a foreign country. My mission field is in the piney woods of Georgia, where I grew up. This is the "Bible Belt", so we have many churches of all denominations...but what is sad, is that many of these folks are not saved, and many in this area do not go to church. When the LORD called me, he told me to go back home, I have a mission for you. During the past 18 years, He has used me greatly here, witnessing to many (even some preachers, Sunday school teachers, deacons, and choir directors). I have led many to Jesus.

What is bewildering to me, is that I am not recognized as a missionary. If I was in Brazil, China, or some other country, then I would be. The LORD has missionaries everywhere, even in your home town.

Pray for all who are bringing the message of good news.

Walkin2e aka Irvin L. Rozier, author of My Walk with the Lord, www.selahbooks.com, www.campusi.com

SITTING ON THE BENCH FOR JESUS

Many of God's servants are waiting on the bench for the Coach to put them in the game. They have prepared for the the day, time, and hour when the LORD nods His head, points His finger, and says "Okay, it is time for you to take the position you have prepared and practiced so hard and so long for. It is your time."

In the Bible are many examples. Joseph, the dreamer, was preparing, waiting for that day, time, and hour when God gave the okay, and he was promoted to the position that God had ordained for him. Moses, David, Paul, and many others were the same way. Even Jesus, who knew more about the Father, and had so much to share, sit on the bench until God's time was right.

The LORD has taught me the value of waiting on His timing many times over the past 18+ years. I would like to give two examples.

The Holy Spirit had spoken a word to me that I would be preaching on the radio. Days, weeks, months, and a year passed. During this time, I was studying God's word, praying, preaching at some other places..yet, the Holy Spirit often spoke to me on this. About 14 months after I received the word to preach on the radio, I was sitting on my back porch, meditating on God's word. Suddenly, the LORD spoke to me and said, "Tonight, at 6:45, I want you to start preaching on the radio." It was Wednesday afternoon, about 1:30. I said, "Okay, Lord. I'll go over to the radio station, and inquire about having a 15 minute program." I drove the eight miles to the station, went inside and asked the radio station manager about a program. He said, "Normally, we don't have preaching on Wednesday evening, but I can give you a fifteen minute slot starting at 6:45 P.M. You can begin tonight. It will be $25." So, I paid the man, and preached that night. Many who were going to a Wednesday night service heard me. This mission the LORD gave me lasted for 18 months. No one supported me (financially) yet the LORD made a way. The Holy Spirit had spoken a word to me, yet I had to "sit on the bench" until the time of the word came. PSALM 105 verse 19 ''UNTIL THE TIME THAT HIS WORD CAME: THE WORD OF THE LORD TRIED HIM."

I was praying for the LORD to open a door for me to preach. He spoke to me and said, "You will be preaching a sermon at your old home church, in the new one they built." I replied, "Lord, they are not going to invite me to preach. I don't go there anymore (the Lord had moved me because I was not being utilized there) and besides, the leadership has not recognized the call on my life is from you." He replied, "Have faith." A few months later, I was sitting at the coffee shop reading the paper. I turned to the obituaries, and read where a friend of mine had died. At the bottom of the article, these words jumped out at me: "And preaching on her funeral will be the pastor of the church (my home church), and Irvin Rozier." Well, that was me and the funeral was the next day. I arrived, and the pastor met me, and said "You go first. Do as the LORD leads." This was God's plan. I did preach at my old home church just as the LORD had said.

I recognize that the LORD will place you where He wants you....and nothing shall oppose His will.

I hope this is an encouragement. Wait on the leading of the Holy Spirit and on God's timing.

Acts 16 verse 7 "After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not."

Irvin L. Rozier

Eva

Job 42.15 "And in all the land were no women found as fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren."

Eva Marie Rozier was born August 9, 1979, at Fort McClellan (Anniston) Alabama. Unlike her sister, Joy, Eva was not late. The doctor examined her mother around 8 A.M. and said, "It'll be another three or four hours." Within 30 minutes, Eva came forth and has been going ever since.

I had a special privilege at Eva's birth. I got to be in the delivery room and cut her umbilical cord. Eva said her first word at six months ("Bite"). She would ask for food. She loved to eat. She began walking shortly thereafter; I hardly remember her crawling. Her mom took real good care of this happy, busy little girl. I nicknamed her "Beaver" because she was always busy. When Eva was one, my Granny Winn (mama's mama) told me that Eva's personality was just like my Grandma Crosby's (Daddy's mama). Grandma Crosby was sweet natured and very loving. I remember her holding me as she rocked me in her rocking chair. I felt secure and content in my Grandma's lap. I knew she loved me; I could feel it.

When Eva was almost three, we moved to Hawaii. She loved the beach, the outdoors, and animals. Mama came to visit us in Hawaii, and Eva was showing off on the monkey bars, slipped, and broke her arm. She didn't let that incident stop her. She kept on going.

One day when she was about four and a half, she got on her brother's bicycle and started riding---no training wheels, no help. She was independent.

Her mom decided Eva could be a model. Eva had bleach blonde hair, whitened by the tropical Hawaiian sun, big beautiful brown eyes, and a smile that would melt your heart. The Japanese liked her so well, they paid her $100 an hour to model for their children's catalog. When we went to the beach, tourists would often take a photo of her playing in the sand and water. She was (and still is) very beautiful and photogenic.

Before we moved back to L.A. (lower Alabama), I had to work with her on her southern accent. She had lived in Hawaii for three years and she had picked up some of the wonderful dialect of the locals. I had her say several times a day, "I want a piece of pecan pie." I made her say it with a south Georgia drawl. She got pretty good at it, but would sometimes pronounce her "r's" like an "L". A couple of years of speech therapy improved her pronunciations.

Eva was saddened by her Mom's departure. She was only six years old and such a sweet and trusting child. She adjusted, though, to only having a Daddy in her life and no mom. Eva, like Joel and Joy, learned to wash their own clothes, cook, and do various other things that most kids their age didn't have to do.

When we came back to Blackshear, Georgia, Eva was in the third grade. I was a room parent and entertained and helped out with parties and special school days. I remember that Mother's Day in 1988, when Eva handed me a home made Mother's Day card. I was her mother and father.

Eva grew and blossomed into a beautiful young teenager. She never talked back to me or said a harsh word to me, despite all the hard times we had. I want to thank her for that respect.

Eva has always had a sense of the presence of Jesus in her life. He's often spoke to her in dreams and used her compassionate heart to help others. She's made her share of mistakes like all of us and has learned valuable lessons.

One day when Eva was 15, I received a call from the hospital. Eva had been in a wreck and was injured. I needed to get over there as soon as possible. I immediately prayed for Eva. I didn't know what kind of condition she was in. After my prayer, the Lord spoke to me and said, "She's all right, take your time." I stopped by the convenience store, got a cup of Maxwell House, and then went on to the hospital.

As I entered the room where she was, there was my baby with her blood streaked blonde hair, a cut on her knee, and several bruises. She saw me and cried, "Daddy, Daddy, I was so scared!" I rushed to her and as I hugged her I felt the intense presence of the Holy Ghost---tears filled my eyes. I was praying for her in the Spirit. Seems like Eva and her friend had skipped classes and went for a joy ride but crashed into a big old Georgia pine tree.

Over the next three days, the scars on Eva's face had disappeared, the cut on her knee had healed, and she was back to being busy again. I was thankful that Eva and her friend were okay. Cars can be replaced but lives cannot!

I always plant sunflowers in my garden. Eva likes them, the bees like them, and they are beautiful to look at. Over the years, many people (both old and young) have gotten pleasure from these beautiful flowers.

When Eva graduated from high school in 1997, I wanted her to spot me in the crowd of proud parents, relatives, and friends. I went to the garden, found the biggest, brightest sunflower, cut it, and brought it with me. It was about twice as big as a dinner plate. The stem was as thick as a woman's wrist. Well, as the graduates marched out, I held that big old bright yellow sunflower in front of me and was rewarded by Eva with a corresponding smile.

Eva worked two or three jobs for awhile and went to modeling school. She then decided she wanted to be a nurse. She went to nursing school and graduated with honors, as president of her class.

Eva was involved in two other wrecks: totaled one car and heavily damaged another. I was right behind her in my truck when I said, "Lord, she's going to pull right in the path of that truck; protect her I pray." He did! The truck at the last minute swerved and hit the left front of the car instead of plowing into the driver's door.

One evening, the Lord spoke to me and said, "Pray for Eva, right now!" I did and asked God to send angels to protect her. About twenty minutes later, she came home all shook up. I asked, "What's wrong Beaver?" She replied, "I lost control of my car, it hydroplaned and I ended up turned around in a circle and in the other lane." I said, "I know baby, that's when I was praying for you. God sent his angels to protect you."

The first day of Eva's nursing school, she went to class and bought all those expensive books. It came a hard rain in Waycross; about five inches in an hour. Eva drove through that but went under an underpass; her car drowned out and the current washed her car deeper in water. She had to climb out of the window to escape. When I arrived where she was, all you could see was the top of that pretty Monte Carlo. The car was totally flood damaged, all her books were destroyed. Eva was back in class the next day. She didn't let that stop her. God gave her strength and ability to make it through school.

There is so much to write about how God has protected Eva, her brother and sister, and how he has cared for them. Fathers, the greatest gift you can give to your children is to pray for them!

In the summer of 2001, Eva took a job as a nurse at a children's summer camp in Hyannis, Massachusetts. She called me one night; she was so homesick. I told her I would go up there to see her and carry her some of my homegrown sweet south Georgia watermelons and some boiled peanuts. I loaded up my 1997 Chevrolet King Cab Silverado, which the Lord had blessed me with, and began the 1300 mile drive.

I remember driving through New York City and seeing the towering Twin Towers on the skyline. This was a month before 911. Eva was sure glad to see me. I was even happier to see her! We had a nice two day visit, and I drove back home. On the way back, I drove another route other than Interstate 95. I remember driving through Hershey, Pennsylvania and smelling a whiff of chocolate. I love Hershey bars. I'll take one of the small milk chocolate ones, place a fresh pecan half on it, pop it in my mouth, and enjoy! A marriage made in heaven---the Hershey bar and pecan.

I arrived back in Blackshear and thanked God for his protection on my trip. I also thanked him for allowing me to live in a town with only five red lights. That 50 mile long bumper to bumper traffic in New York City area is something to behold.

Eva is still working as a nurse. She is a kind, beautiful and compassionate young lady!

Deuteronomy 5.16 "Honour thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee."

I wrote the above in May 2003. It is now March 4, 2005. Eva married Jack, a fine young man, in May 2004. They live in Waycross. She is working part time as a Licensed Practical Nurse, and is going to college full time to be a Registered Nurse.

Irvin L. Rozier

Joy

Psalm 30.5 "For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning:

She arrived late. She was supposed to be born before Christmas but she didn't want to leave the warmth and comfort of her mother's womb. On January 13, 1975, she finally arrived! A nine pound, nine and a half ounce, beautiful baby girl! Her mom and I were so happy. We named her Joy Michelle Rozier because of the joy she brought to our lives. We had lost our first child in 1973 (miscarriage during the first trimester but still a child), so we were both glad the Lord chose us to be her parents. She was born at the hospital in Ozark, Alabama.

I was in the Army and already on orders to go to Germany, so four days after her birth, we went home to Georgia. I then went to Germany to set up household. I tell you, it sure was hard leaving my wife and new baby behind. Joy took her first airplane ride when she was two months old. She was very close to her mom. Joy would listen intently as we read to her, and at the age of 13 months, she was already talking like a four year old.

When she was two, her mom played a part in the musical, "Jesus Christ, Superstar." Within a few days, little Joy would go around the house singing all the songs of that musical.

We left Augsburg, Germany, in December 1977 and moved to Anniston (Fort McClellan) Alabama. Her mom took much time with Joy and her brother, Joel, and taught them many things. Most of all, she would shower them with hugs and kisses. They knew they were loved. Joy's grandmother, her mom's mom, had left her daughter and moved across the country when Joy's mom was 12. Joy's mom always said, "I'll never leave my children, I love them too much."

Joy entered kindergarten at the age of five. We got a note from the teacher a few days later. She had observed Joy and noticed that she was extremely bright. She suggested that we have Joy tested. We did, and Joy's intelligence (sorry for the interruption. Joy just called me from England, May 28, 2003..confirmation from the Lord that I should write this story) quotient was 148. When she entered first grade, she stayed one day and was skipped up to the second grade.

In 1982, we moved to Hawaii. At the age of nine, Joy played the part of Dorothy in a local production of the Wizard of Oz. She memorized all of her parts in two days and would prompt the other kids on their parts.

The production was a resounding success and the Schofield Barracks paper wrote a nice article about Joy. Her mom continued to be a wonderful mother to her three children; little Eva was born in 1979. During the last year of our stay in Hawaii, Joy's mom's personality began to change. She was involved in bodybuilding, and I later found out that she had been taking steroids.

We moved back to Fort Rucker, Alabama and within a year, I was a single parent to three broken hearted children. They really missed their mom, Joy especially. This was in April, 1986 when Joy's mom left.

In late 1987, I was honorably discharged from the Army after serving almost 16 years. It was too difficult to be a single parent soldier. We moved back to my home, Blackshear, Georgia, and Joy adjusted and made friends. In early 1987, the Lord had saved me, so much prayer went into my decision to leave the Army. Joy's great sense of humor and intelligence served her well in this move.

I remember clearly the night she came into my room and said, "Daddy, I think I started my period. I need some feminine hygiene products." I hugged her, and said, "Joy, you are not a little girl anymore, you are a young woman." My car was broke down, so on that cold, frosty, star studded night, I walked to town to get what she needed. I cried most of the way there. I had lost my little bundle of Joy; she was growing up. I cried most of all that Joy's mom was not there to share that precious moment in her daughter's life.

During her teenaged years, Joy was attacked by an evil spirit. I kept praying and praying for God to deliver her. She experienced severe anxiety attacks and became hypochondriac. I had to throw away all the medical books because every time she would read them, she would fear she was dying. Finally, after three years of much prayer and fasting, and spiritual battles, Jesus delivered her.

Because of her torment, Joy missed many days of school when she was a senior. Her grades were above average, but her absences were many. In April, she dropped out of high school. I was really upset and prayed to the Lord about Joy. He spoke these words to me, "Irvin, who does Joy belong to?" I said, "Why Lord, I guess she belongs to you." He replied, "Don't you think that I love her more than you?" When He spoke these words, I experienced immediate peace as I turned Joy over to the one who had died for her. Three days later, she dropped back in school. At her graduation, I think she was the happiest one there. She knew she had barely made it.

Before Joy's class of '92 graduation ceremony, I went out in the field and prayed and asked the Lord to make this day a memorable one for Joy. As soon as the class marched out (it was dusk), a huge shooting star streaked across the sky. Everybody oohed and watched in awe. I just smiled and whispered, "Thank you, Lord."

After graduation, Joy worked some, and then was married. She gave birth to a beautiful son, Dusty. After a while, this marriage broke up and Joy remarried. This marriage, too, broke up. Both were primarily because of spousal abuse involving the use of drugs and alcohol (not on Joy's part).

During all her trials, Joy was a good mother to her son. He, too, was very intelligent and witty. Joy completed technical school during these ordeals and worked outside the home as a job coach.

In early January, 2003, Joy moved to England, leaving Dusty behind. She had met someone on the internet and despite my strong objections decided to go ahead over there and marry.

I struggled with this as Dusty would call me from his Dad's (Dusty does have a good Dad) and ask me to pray for him because he missed his mommy so much. I took all of this to the Lord in prayer, and he said, "Irvin, remember when Joy dropped out of high school, and I told you she belongs to me? Well, she still does. Trust me."

I love Joy so dearly. She has suffered much adversity in her life, but I know that weeping may endure for the night but Joy cometh in the morning.

Luke 15.18 "I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee."

This was written in May 2003. Today is March 3, 2005. Joy and her husband David are still living in Westbury, England. They have a one year old son, Joshuha. Joy and her family came last summer, and Dusty met his new brother. Joy calls Dusty every day and she recently told me that her and David and Josh are moving back near me. They have already started the paperwork. David is a great husband to Joy and a good father. Pray the Lord would work out all the details for them. I talked to her yesterday and I do miss her. She is my firstborn.

Irvin L. Rozier

1954 Chevrolet 0r 2005 Chevrolet

Jesus saves. He died on the cross for you and me. Because He did, we can have salvation. The shortest prayer in the Bible was from Peter. He was walking on the water, took his eyes off Jesus, and begin to sink. Matthew 14 verse 30 "But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. Verse 31 "And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"



My brother in law once had a 1954 six cylinder Chevrolet truck. This truck was simply built. You opened the hood, and easily had access to the motor. You could work on it. Open the hood of a 2005 Chevrolet. The motors are so complicated these days, that professional training is needed to work on them.



We have often took the simple message of Jesus saves, complicated it to such an extent, that many seeking him are turned off. I remember before the Lord saved me. I was hurting so I went to a local church for help. The pastor talked with me, then handed me a sheaf of papers that I had to read and complete before I could join the church. I didn't need that; I needed Jesus....and this complicated way of going to Him turned me off. However, a few months later, while sitting at the kitchen table reading the Bible (Psalm 40) that my dear late Mama gave me, I looked up to heaven, and said, "God, if you are real, save me". Immediately, Jesus came into my heart and I knew I was a new creature.



Which model to we present to others...the 1954 or the 2005?