The Mailbox
by Editor(s)

This letter by Virginia "Radar" Brown was written as an encouragement and exhortation to a friend needing a wake-up call.

Awake, thou that Sleepeth!

Dear D,

I have been thinking about you a lot recently, so I thought I would just write you.

I have been talking to C. about your family. I know she is more than sightly concerned. I have really been concerned too. I have wondered if you were also. I know all I can really do for them at this point is believe that the very life of Jesus Christ is being lived out in and as me. As I believe this fact then I can believe the ideas that come forth to do, are him. Me believing affects those around me and those not so near.

I can not quit thinking of your family and what Christ might do as you, if you would trust and believe it is His very life in you. C. told me once that you told her or maybe a church group (I don’t remember who) that if they really believed Jesus Christ was the son of God, they would be on their knees and telling everyone. That may not be exactly what you said but to me it was a very passionate statement. I know Christ in people is very passionate. It can not be drummed up but comes from within. I believe that God could do a mighty work in your family. I see you as an important part of the body of Christ, important to seeing some turn-around in your family.

I just got home from visiting my mother and father. One of their best friends died and another was diagnosed with cancer and has a few months, probably weeks to live. I mention this to say one day it is too late. I don’t mean only because they were older. It happened to me. I was not responsible for my husband leaving, but oh the sorrow and regret I have felt over the things I didn’t do and knew to do while I was married to him. You never know what could happen – you could have a stroke and permanently be unable to speak, know in your heart all you wish you could say but, no longer have the privilege. It is hard to face, but believe me when your chance is over – it’s over. I am really not trying to scare you, I only wish you would wake up to what I see. As C.T. Studd said, only one life, it will soon be past – only what’s done for Christ will last.

For your own life, I know it is very painful to stretch but it is more painful not to. Are you satisfied with your life? If you had to face God at this moment would you be able to say you are living up to all you could be? I know the influence you could have, it starts with one right choice after another. I do not expect you to have the answers as to what to do with everyone, but when you put your foot out in mid-air, trusting it is Christ, then He puts the bridge right under your feet. You don’t have to feel in trouble; just have an open heart to what God might do as you. You are not a spring chicken, so I think… what have you got to lose! You have everything to gain–everything. I look at Ronnie Luttrull and I see someone who humbled himself before God and look at that family reconciled. Brenda had already believed who she was. I want each member of your family to have a life. Would you not die to your fears and live to what God could do as you? I plead with you to even just say, help, what do I do? God will show you.

It is sad watching the people who come to my area of the country for six months out of the year (summer) and have retired. They have nothing to live for–they are waiting until God moves them on. What a waste. God is trying to wake you up. Please know I wrote this because I care, love you and I am passionately concerned about your family.

From the Christ in me To the Christ in you,

Virginia

THE BEST YET

It’s the same every year; we always say "it’s the best Conference yet!" Having left the USA on March 30 with some unresolved issues, I was anxious to ‘grab’ the first possible opportunity to discuss things with Tom at the Easter conference in Cobham. In doing so, I say that Satan’s rebellion (as displayed in Isaiah 14:14) had again been lived out through me. Having to admit that I was a totally self-for-self person was devastating; it seemed like a death sentence. It would be, except for the wonderful truth that, because I am joined to the spirit of Christ, we are one person and therefore self for others. I knew I could choose then to be for others for the remainder of our time together.

Although it felt scary to be the one to initiate conversations, confrontations and take whatever action I could to be for others, I KNEW it was Christ doing it as me. It meant taking responsibility myself instead of leaving things for someone else to do, whether it was getting involved with people, clearing the table, or on one occasion, playing the piano!

Many of us came under the searchlight of the Spirit and all were willing to have Satan exposed, that we might experience freedom from bondage. Having had a "spiritual awakening," I DO see the need to pick up the weapons of warfare (which are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds 2 Cor. 10:4) and use them so that others can be rescued from believing Satan’s lies. I know this message, my life has been changed by its truth and I am now compelled to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. What better examples could we have had of lives poured out for others, than seeing Christ lived out
in the form of Page, Tom and Sanda.

Phil. 3:17 tells us to pattern out lives after Paul and others following his example. With this in mind, some of us are planning meeting together every two weeks, knowing that "into our hands He will give the ground we claim," as the chorus "Rejoice! Rejoice! Christ is in you" says. This song became a favorite with many of us, and we finally learned to sing it with "life, energy and verve," with the example of our Scottish "live wire," Christina!!

All in all a great time.
Onward Christian soldiers!
Meryl Langley
Northampton, England

AT LAST, FREEDOM

The conference proved to be an edifying experience rather than an endurance, I am pleased to say. The message of true Christ union knowing does transform and enlighten.

I was certainly at the end of my trying to live my life as I thought it should be run, in all areas. My Christian life, my role as husband and father, and out in the big wide world endeavoring to make a good living for my family with all the stress and stain that brought. I was unconscious of the fact that I was trying to keep up a good image in every area of my life. The continual strain resulted in my introduction to tranquilizers which took the edge off the aggravations and pressures, but I know that if I appeared to be coping, inside I was aware of many inadequacies. My Christian life started out with enthusiasm, but I nearly always felt guilty and substandard.

All this brought about a nervous breakdown in 1987. After all this, it was only "the beginning of sorrows". Our youngest son was tragically killed. At this stage, I realized I needed more than I had ever experienced in my Christian life. I had been reading Norman Grubb’s books for a few years; however I was wary due to what I considered "unorthodox content."

Then one day I surrendered my preconceived ideas of what I thought was right to believe to obtain the "fullness" of God. I asked Christ to live His life "as me".

I read a wayside pulpit which said "Let Christ share your burden." I was shocked – that won’t do for me; I realized that I needed Him to ease the total burden. This could only occur if He lived as me.

He has taken the crushing burden, I have a release in my life that I have not experienced before, to know He is my other self. There are many negatives that still surround me but I feel safe in Him knowing He has not let me down, but all things are in His control even though it does not look like it. This is indeed the liberating secret.

Many thanks to Page, Tom and Sanda for coming over to share the message. John in his epistle repeatedly says "This is the message." (I John 1:5 – 3:11) This is only a very brief account of the story–maybe a more detailed account some other time. Also, a very big thank you to Norman for having a major role in bringing these truths.

Love to you all,

Harry Knee