Welcome Fall, and the Note Card...

I love this time of year. It is time to get out the sweaters and in no time at all the Holidays will be here. And depending on where you live right around the corner will bring a beautiful white winter wonderland. I am so praying that we will have snow here in North Carolina. Any how, this time of year is filled with so many memory making opportunities.

However this fall seems to have come with sort of a saddened stain to it. I miss Joshua even more now then I did in the summer time. All the smells of beautiful fall. The chill in the air and just the change of the season with my dearest love gone. And the I started to think about all that he will miss being away, He will miss Tatum's seventh birthday, Elyssa's sixth birthday, Thanksgiving and Christmas the new year and our birthday. But then I thought to myself wait a minute, I am not going to through a pity party. Recently I have been reading the book of Job. It has been such a blessing to me in this time of trouble. Job found something to praise God for even in the midst of the darkest storm.

I was thinking to myself, I have three little sets of eyes on me all the time. They are watching and waiting to see how I will respond to the life changes that a deployment brings. I have decided that I am going to make every day special. Children are not impressed with the things that we give them or the money we spend on them. Sure it may seem like it up front. But most of all they desire our true love and affection and our time.

Recently Tatum was feeling down with Joshua being gone. She was having a very sad day... It was raining and gloomy and she was feeling unloved. I was so broken hearted by this. But I remembered at a military class they spoke on how this is very normal during a deployment and it is how the mother handles it that will make the most difference. Well being a Christian I went before the LORD with my plea. And I wrote her a little card. It is so fun now that she can read. I wrote a simple little note "To Tatum, Love Mommy... I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU. You are very special to me. I am praying for you! Love Always, Mommy" I placed it on her bed on top of her clothes that she would be putting on that morning when she woke up ;)

When she came down she was all smiles and to be honest by this time and in the midst of all the morning chores I had gotten caught up in, I just thought she was in a pleasant mood. Until she asked Mommy.... May I have one of your special note cards? Of course I granted this request and about 15 minutes later she came down and handed me a card. My heart was thrilled. I did not expect anything back in return from the note that I had placed on her bed that morning. All I simply wanted was to be a blessing to my precious little six year old daughter who was missing her Daddy something terrible the day before. I opened the card and read "To Mommy, Love Tatum.... I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU... I know that you love me and Daddy to. I LOVE YOU MOMMY. Love Tatum Brown". As tears came to my eyes I felt that if I never accomplish anything in this life at all but to have my children be able to say to me "Mommy, I know you love me..." Then I have accomplished more then I could ever dream of.

I was glad that she felt loved and that most of all she knew she was loved. We all have days where we feel unloved, sad and that we are worth nothing. However this is a lie from our adversary. We are loved more then all the riches in this world. Our Lord loves us even when we ourselves feel un lovely! I sat back and thought.... Oh my soul how many times have I done this to God. Felt so down trodden and wanted to throw a pity party and say "no one loves me. I am all alone." When all the while he is standing there with open arms saying "my Child I love you more then the moon and starts. I gave My only son for you and I LOVE YOU....Remember I will never leave you nor forsake you." We are loved beyond measure. And that day when I was trying to be an encouragement to my daughter the child that God has so generously blessed me with. He sent a message to me through her. And I looked to him and said. "I know you love me Lord. I know I am not alone."

We are never alone. Turn your eyes upon Jesus. He is there. He is waiting to carry you through. Not only through the valley but he wants to walk on the mountain tops with you too...

Happy Fall...

In Christ,

Brittany Brown

Phil 4:16

What do you base your beauty on???

Hello fellow sisters,

It has been a while. I recently just returned from an amazing woman's conference. I was so encouraged and was touched by the LORD. I saw his hand in a mighty way and for this I am greatly appreciative.

I was compelled to write to you on beauty. What do you base your beauty on? As a Christian woman we are told to search our spirit and that beauty is on the inside. This is true. However I am a firm believer that if the inside is right then the outside will naturally follow.

So many times we hold ourselves up to the worlds standards. When really we should hold ourselves up to our Lord and Saviour and see what he has to say. If I were to ask you if you could change one thing about your self what would you say. I have to say the first thing that comes to my mind is that I would loose just a little more weight. Chances are you are thinking of something that has to do with your appearance also.

The Bible says in Psalm 139:14 "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." However you look, thank God for it. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

My commitment is to focus on one thing that I can change on the inside. Sure I could loose a little more weight. But more importantly I can always use a little more strengthening in my walk with God. I have two precious little girls whom I want to teach to Love the Lord with all of their heart and all of their mind. I want them to learn by my example. I want them to see that when you have a close unwavering walk with the LORD then that you will naturally have an amazing spirit that will run over to the outward man.

I love makeup and jewelry and all of the things that most ladies love =) However I do not want to be remembered for hair, makeup and jewelry. I want to be remembered as a woman who feared the Lord and loved him with all of her heart, who wanted to bring others to know Christ more. Now think back to what you said you would change and stop for a moment and think "what would you like to be remembered by?"

Do the two line up?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I am sure that you have all heard that before. If you are created by an almighty God and look different than the girl sitting next to you in church on Sunday morning, praise God for it. You are special in his sight and there in none other like you. He carefully chose your eye color, your hair color and how tall you would be and he hand picked your strengths and your weaknesses. There is none other like you!!!

I like to think beauty is as beauty does. Do not compare yourself to others and do not compete with the way that another lady looks. Adorn yourself with the fruit of the spirit and let the outward man follow. All the fun stuff is great, just a little extra to our package. Yet should not be our only focus. Make sure that you are not solely relying on these to feel beautiful or measure your worth. You mean much more to God then some paint and hairspray!!!

I often think of Sarah and how even the lost men looked upon her and thought of how beautiful she was. So much that Abraham had her lie and say that she was his sister, for he feared his life would be taken if they knew that she was his wife. This means that she was amazingly beautiful. She was a Godly woman whose spirit flowed from her inner being to her outward appearance. I have heard from young christian ladies who struggle with the thoughts of "is it OK" to look pretty and be a christian. I must be honest after I was saved I had some of the same struggles. Yet, as I have grown in the Lord I am so encouraged by his creation. He made the beautiful blue sky with bright white clouds, a golden sun and the richest green color for our grass. He is beautiful. He is lovely. and there is no blandness to our creator. I have tried to embrace this in my life. I am part of God's creation as are you. We do not need to be a cookie cutter christian. God made you special as an individual and he needs who you are to fulfill his divine purpose.

I hope this is an encouragement to you... Just remember you are fearfully and wonderfully made by the creator of the universe. There is beauty in every single part of his creation and you my sister are no different =)

In Christ,

Brittany

Need your Help =)

HEY LADIES,
I am looking for 3 to 5 friends or family members that are willing to help me kick start my new side business. I decided to take on selling "lia sophia" it's jewelry! YEAH! I am so excited. To be honest when I went to my friends show I was just going to purchase a couple pieces. But... I fell in love with jewelry and the excellent benefits oh, and how much money I could save my friends on their jewelry.

If you are one of the lovely ladies that would love to take advantage of the following leave me a message on my blog or email me (brownfam211@yahoo.com)
-the average host receives $300. of jewelry for only $15.00 she may also be eligible to receive another $400 for $60.
-you will receive 20% of your show sales in FREE jewelry and could also earn up to 40% in FREE jewelry!
-5 bonus items this means purchase 5 items in the catalog at $15 each or unless otherwise priced in the catalog!!!
-2 items of your choice at 50% off!!!

It would be a night of fun of fellowship and shopping with your girlfriends. Oh and for your guests there is always a sale... Our everyday sale in buy two of your LOWEST priced items and get your third HIGHEST priced item for 50% off!!! Crazy it is opposite of the department stores... Everyone will have a chance to win some FREE jewelry. What do you have to loose. Help a Sister out!!! Love y'all hope this interest you.

email me and check out my web site at www.liasophia.com/brittanybrown1
you can also preview the catalog on my above web site!!!

(If you want to receive the above benefit's but do not want to host an in home show you may also host a catalog show. see how many orders you can snag.)

YES I ALMOST FORGOT. If you schedule a show with me before December 1st and hold the date I will buy you any item in the catalog that is $100.00 or Less....

Thanks Ladies,
Brittany

share this with anyone you know that may be interested =)

I Can Go In!!!

After visiting the Abigail Miller web site to order some Cd's I was once again extremely blessed by her song "I Can Go In". As I sat weeping tears of joy while the children finished up their lunch. Tatum and Elyssa became concerned "Why are you crying Mommy?" They both were asking. I could not stop rejoicing in the wonderful gift of salvation. If you are saved how could we ever stop rejoicing!

As Tatum brought me a tissue to wipe away my tears they seemed to be becoming even more concerned that Mommy was so joyful and crying =) I explained to them the amazing gift of salvation and of the saints of old and of all the Martyrs that have laid down their lives and kept the faith. And how easy to them we must have it just to be saved by grace. And how some day we will share the glorious streets of gold with these men and women! And how when we get to heaven it will not matter because we will all be rejoicing together. And I was able to tell them that I can go in....

Have you ever paused for a moment just to say that phrase to your self " I Can Go In" Oh how powerful it is. Not everyone will stand some day and say it. And when I read the song lyrics I feel as the man did in the verses, asking who are these? I am not one of these... I just want to bow in shame, and say I am not one of these. As the man does in the song. But wait, at the end he rejoices and cries...I CAN GO IN.... Why can he go in? He was no prophet, was not burned at the stake, or asked to renounce his faith. But yes he can go in... He has been washed in the Blood. Saved by God's grace. He may enter with those giants of the faith. Yes He can go in.

Can you go in. Are you a rejoicing Christian? If not, why not? Is your heart overwhelmed with joy and gratitude to your Lord and Savior? If you are saved there should be nothing that can bother you. Sure there are things, trials that we face in this life. But when they come just say that phrase to yourself..."I can go in." There is so much hope and joy in four small words. I am still joyous when I really stop and think... I CAN GO IN!!!

Praise the Lord. I invite you to visit Abigailmiller.com, you will truly be blessed by her testimony and the amazing songs that she has written. I want to share with you her lyrics...

Written by Abigail Miller, (Taken by a sermon preached my Charles Spuregon)

He stood beside the gates of Heaven. waiting to go in,
And he wondered how this Holy Place could take a man like him.

with shouts of great rejoicing and with music then they came,

Of the angels standing by him he asked what could be their name?

"These are the company of prophets. The goodly fellowship of souls,"

"Who spake God's Word with faith and boldness; who blessed the poor,

and made the wounded whole."

"Oh," he fell upon his knees, and cried, "I am not one of these."

He waited 'till another band of shining ones drew nigh,

They entered into Heaven with a "Hallelujah" cry.

He asked again, "Who are these? Can you tell me whence they came?"

He seemed to see the answer in a burning tongue of flame.

"These are the company of martyrs, the mighty fellowship of Saints."

"Who knew our Lord and walked beside Him."

"Who ran the holy race and did not faint."

"Oh," he fell upon his knees, and cried, "I am not one of these."

Then suddenly, a multitude was heard from far away.

Their voices rang with songs of joy like children at their play.

He saw Rahab, He saw David, Mary Magdalene and Paul,

And the thief who died by Jesus was the one who led them all.

"Who are these?!" he almost shouted at the angels.

"These are the sinners saved by grace!"

"The host of them who called upon the Savior,"

"Washed in the Blood and justified by faith!"

And, Oh...he leaped up from his knees!

"Oh, I can go in with these!!!"

"And I can go in, for my heart is free from sin."

"I've been washed in the Blood, everlasting life to win."

"I can rejoice, I can lift up my voice...I can sing...and I can go in."

Oh, he thought there could be no hallelujahs and no cries,

For this lowly band of people by the world despised,

But as the scenes of heaven opened up before his eyes,

He saw the martyrs and the prophets, and the host of heaven rise,

And they sang, "I can go in. For my heart is free from sin."

I've been washed in the blood, everlasting life to win,"

"I can rejoice, I can lift up my voice...I can sing... and I can go in."

"I can go in."

"I can rejoice, I can lift up my voice...I can sing...and I can go in."

"I can go in."

Can you go in. If not and you want to know how please let me know. If you can then lift up your voice and REJOICE..."YOU CAN GO IN..."

I have been so blessed by the words of this song. I just had to share. My heart could just jump up and run around and sing. Glory to God in the Highest. I may never deserve to go in. But by the grace of God. I Brittany Brown have been washed in the Blood, cleansed from every sin. That is something to shout about. My prayer is that you still have that blessed joy that you first had after salvation. It can so easily be lost when we get tripped up with the every day things of life. But there is so much Joy in the Christian life. Read the lyrics again and visit her web site so that you can sample the song. I promise you will be truly blessed.

Because of Christ,

Brittany Brown

Just one more soul...

I love to read in Gods word of people and their conversions. I am just thrilled through every miracle of a sinner saved by grace. One of my favorite books of the Bible is the book of Acts. It is packed full of wonderful history of the Church and of Godly people taking a stand for Jesus Christ. If you have been saved for any amount of time the salvation of ones soul is absolutely amazing. Just as much so as a new born baby being brought into this earthly world, It is the same as one who is born into the family of God.

One of my favorite salvation stories found in the book of Acts is the story of the Ethiopian Eunuch. One of the reasons I love it so is because of the simplicity of it. And that the Lord saw that something that would not take up much room or time to tell was of much significance.

You can find this account in Acts 8:26-39

It shows that when you are witnessing to someone you never know where they are at on their own spiritual journey. Has some one else sowed the seed. Maybe another has already done some watering and maybe you will be the one to harvest. Or it could be completely the other way around you could be the one to plant the seed, or water. you just never know unless you take the time to find out. Here in this passage of scripture we see how sensitive to the Holy Spirit Phillip was. It says in verse 29 "Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot." The Bible says in verse 30 that Philip ran to the chariot. This shows us that he obeyed God and that he obeyed Him with joy, hast and zeal. He did not take his time and dilly dally around. He took what God said seriously and by faith trusted and obeyed. We should have the same attitude. When you feel that little prick from the Holy Spirit we should definitely obey. There have been many a times when I have heard from the Lord and have not followed. I have for some reason or another shrugged it off. Yes I am sad to say. I often wonder if when we get to heaven if the Lord will show us all the times that he told us to pass a track, speak a word of encouragement or to boldly stand and witness and we made the choice not to. I know for sure that I will hang my head in shame. I am trying to seek to be more like Christ and to seize every opportunity that the Lord would allow me to have. As I hope is the same for you dear Christian reader.

I love how Philip goes to him and does not just start shoving the gospel down his thought. He enquires of him what he is reading (verse 30). Then Philip asked if he understood what he was reading. And the Ethiopian man asked him how he could understand. And it speaks of what he was reading and then he asks Philip do you know of whom this speaketh? Philip does not go into an in depth doctrinal study with the man about what he was reading. No, the Bible says in verse 35 "Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture and preached unto him Jesus Christ. There is something I try to remember when I am witnessing to someone that I do not know if I will ever have another chance or not. I was taught it in a soul winning class shortly after myself was saved. That you never debate doctrine, that you stick to the scripture and what the Bible says about salvation. You stick to the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You leave them with something to think about, or maybe even lead them to the Lord if they are ready as was done here.

The Bible says and they went on their way and that they came to a body of water. Here the Ethiopian man asked what he must do to be baptized and a simple answer is given. Philip tells the man that if he be livest with all of his heart. Simple but true. And in verse 37 the man at the end of the verse answered " I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God." And he was saved. It does not say and he was saved. But if you finish up the chapter it talks of them commanding the chariot to stop and Philip baptizing him and then Philip being called away by the Lord and the Eunuch going on his way.

I do not know why. But the Lord has always giving me a heart to meet this man when I get to heaven. I want to hear of all of the things that he went on to do for My Lord and saviour. I am intrigued by his testimony because we never hear of him again. This is the only account. And I am so blessed by the fact that the Lord would take such a simple account, but yet so much more miraculous than we will ever know, and include it in his word.

One of my favorite songs that I love to hear is the good old fashioned song "If just one more soul" It goes something like
-But if just one more soul were to walk down the isle, it would be worth every struggle it would be worth every trial, a life time of labor is still worth it all, if it rescues just one more soul-

I am so encouraged that the Lord gave us such a wonderful, free gift of salvation. It can not be earned, bought or traded. It is free by choosing to accept it. in Romans 10:9-11 the Bible says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH ON HIM SHALL NOT BE ASHAMED.

Praise the Lord that he has shown his mercy to such a wicked and cursed world. And that he was willing to sacrifice his life so that we may have eternal life! I am over joyed by this thought. I love to hear testimonies. Especially of those that we find through out God's Word of the saints of old. Which were left as an example for us on how to be saved and how to lead others to Christ. I hope this will encourage you...

In Christ Jesus,
Brittany

Are you sleepy yet???

Being a wife and mother is the most rewarding job in the world. I would not trade it for anything. As I write this it is ten o' clock at night. Joshua is out of town for three days on business and we have vacation Bible school this week where I am teaching a fours and fives class. I love it. This is one of my favorite weeks of the summer. But by the end of the night I am so tired.

The LORD has blessed our Church's VBS so far this year. And my class size is about double what it was last year. Yet at times I catch my self thinking of all the other children out there that are not there. How sad it is to me that there are sweet little innocent children growing up with out no knowledge of Christ. I am so thankful for my salvation and the fact that God saw me and that he made my heart tender to His calling.

What a great and mighty God we serve . As I sit here about to fall over I am overwhelmed with thankfulness. I could be so tired and weak but that the Lord will and always does carry me through. In the good and in the bad. Through the storms and in the peaceful sunshine.

Often times our burdens seem to hold us down, we fret and worry over things that we have no control over any way. Give it to the Lord. Take it to Him in prayer. Know that we will have all the rest we could ever dream of in Glory. Live the life that God has given you every day as a new life from our gracious Lord. For we never know what tomorrow holds. Each breath, each rain, each snowflake, each kiss, each hug, and each hello are all a gift from God.

As I saw the little children all around tonight, so full of youth and joy. I could not stop thinking t of how blesses I have been. When you look in a Child's eyes there is something so special. I believe the Lord has placed that sweet innocents for us to remember what life really is. That we have nothing to fear when we are saved and in Christ's loving arms.

What a blessing it is to tell those little ones of our saviour whom bled and died on the cross and rose again for our sins. Some of them have never heard that. And what it made me remember more then ever is that there are many parents who used to be little children who never heard it either and now they are grown and we may not see them as beautiful as the sweet angles standing in front of us.

So no matter how tired you may get, no matter how long you think that you have trod. And no matter how many times they have said no, remember they still need the Lord and your rest awaits you on the other side of Jordan.

Just a little thought,
Good Night,
Brittany

The Laymans wife...

I am about to share my heart with you. Not sure why. But I really feel led by the LORD...

Many of you know that my sweet Joshua is a United States Marine. To him I have been happily married for seven years now. Not that we have the perfect marriage by any means. But I like to think that we are at the utmost of happeiness. I have a deep love for our military being that my father was also a former Marine himself (I know once a Marine always a Marine...). I grew up having a certain respect for the men and women that serve our country. After salvation though I have often wondered why Joshua would not just surrender to full time ministry. Now more then ever I have asked my self this question. Not that I feel that we would even be the best pick from our Heavenly Father. I have a real burden to serve the LORD. I have such a burden for home and foreign missions. And I know that Joshua also shares the same burden. I have often questioned if he is not following the LORD, and if he is just making his own decisions.

Over the past few months the LORD has really shown me some things. I have seen the Lord's hand in a mighty way. For this I am thankful. I have complete peace with what ever the Lord would have us to do.

I do not know if any of you whom are married to a Laymen have ever had the same thoughts. Maybe you have but are a little leery of admitting it. Trust me I am even now as I right this. But in my daily devotions and through preaching I have seen how much the Lord needs good lay people. Not every man will be called to full time Christian service. But they are all called to full time ministry. There are many ministries in the Church that can only be done by the laymen. There are many people to be reached that only the laymen will reach and there are many battles to be fought for the Christian Faith and for the freedoms that we have that will only be fought and won by the laymen.

I have been so convicted about how I need to encourage my Joshua more. We are young and have a lot of people that have tried to tell him that the right thing for him to do would be to get out of the military and surrender his life to full time service weather it be to the mission field or to be a preacher. And I sadly admit that I have hinted this on more than one occasion.

After confiding a little in a fellow more mature military wife who is married to a wonderful Godly man, the advice she gave me was stop listening to others and just follow. That my husband will be led by the LORD and that I need to encourage him and follow with a happy heart. Some of the best advice I have gotten. And yet so simple.

I started reading about men in the Bible that were great men of God and that were also Laymen. Many of them even Warriors... (I say Warriors because Army men are called soldiers and Marines are Warriors =)..) Joshua and David were a few men that I looked at. I have come to be content with being a layman's wife. I do not say it as if it were a bad thing. I have found the beauty in it that I have not seen before. When you are young and around many people your own age whom husbands are being called to the ministry, you start to wonder is there something wrong with my husband. Is he not listening. But I have found the contrary. He is listening loud and clear. He wants nothing more than to be in the will of God. He knows that the LORD would have him right where he is and he is totally willing that if one day soon or far off the Lord would call him to full time service he says he is ready.

All the time I should have been thankful for what the Lord has made my husband. But when I step back and take a look I have been so discontent with whom he has given me. Not in Joshua himself but in the vocation that he has been placed. I love the military life. There are so many benefits, along with the negatives. But there would be negatives if he were a preacher or a missionary also.

I know that there are some people who are questioning his decisions and are not fully supporting him. But I will not be one of them anymore. I will be happy with being a layman's wife and see the joy that there is serving along side of such a great and mighty man. Why do we as wives always have some great idea for our men? I do not think that it is a bad thing. I think that we see them at there best and know what they are capable of. But when I started thinking that everyone else must be right I was saying that he was not spiritual enough. Shame one me.

After re-reading "Created to be a Help Meet" By Debi Pearl. Specifically chapter eight I realized where I have fallen short. I acknowledge that I will never be perfect until Glory. But as Cindy Scapp often says. I sure want to try. I am so thankful that Joshua is patient and is slow to make decision. i am so thankful that he waits and listens and that he wants to hear. I could be married to a lost man. Which I was at one time. But praise the LORD he is now saved and following his Lord. I have really come to not see the term laymen as something that is not a good. Sure ladies would jump up to say "yeah my husband is a preacher or my husband is a missionary" But few jump up and say "My man is a Laymen in the Church and the Lord has called him to be a such and such."

As a layman's wife I want to encourage all of us to take a step back and make sure that we are really loving the men that God has given us the way we ought to. And make sure that you are his number one supporter. You should be his biggest Cheerleader on the sideline of life. Making sure that whether he is a Preacher, a Missionary a Military man, Plumber, Computer engineer, Doctor, or what ever he may be that we encourage them to be all that they can be for the LORD. For it has often been said that a wife can make or break her man. I hope that some day it will be said of me that I loved and supported Joshua and that he was a strong man of the Faith because of it.

After all we move so often to new places I love what Bro.Williams said, "You have to love the military who are saved after all they are government paid missionaries. What a good way to look at it. We are all married to a missionary of sort or another... =)

Thanks for letting me share,

Brittany