Living in Texas

Please pray for our son, Samuel. Everytime we come to Texas, he is miserable with allergies. He practically lives on Benadryl. His eyes itch all day long, and he's sneezing alot!!! But Lord bless him, he's got a positive atitude.

We're looking for better methods, and God's looking for better men, and once He gets them, He may touch down.

We've had a great summit here in Sylvester, Georgia. Twenty-two men showed up for prayer this morning at 6 AM, and we finished our summit yesterday!!! That is an indication that the revival that has taken place here will be ongoing!!! Tom Nesbitt, who taught truths pertaining to the family this week, along with his sweet bride of 40+ years (Marie), has been meeting with the men of First Baptist Church every morning this past week. He has been teaching the men to pray through the Scriptures for their wives, children, and grandchildren.

We want you to hear several testimonies of changed lives amidst the people of God.

"Before this conference, God found me angry, hurt, and bitter. The week of the Life Action summit marked the 9th anniversary of the death of our first son, just 2 days old. The weeks prior to the summit, it was discovered that my wife had been unfaithful to me. Through the messages and daily 6 am prayer times, God revealed to me how I had failed. I was able to express my anger to God and give it to Him. I was able to claim I Thessalonians 5 and give thanks!! I discovered how my anger and bitterness tore down my wife which caused her to seek compassion elsewhere. I now have a new love for my wife and my marriage is better than ever!! Praise God!!"

"I am a man who thought I was living a good, Christian life. But, because of the truths taught this week, I have seen the pride in my life and I have needed to clear my conscience. I had to go to my wife and my son and ask forgiveness for the things in my life that I thought were covering my sin. I have learned how to pray and lift up Scriptures in prayer. Most of all, I have asked God to forgive me for my sin against Him. "

"I have been bitter and searching for answers. I was brought up in church, married a man my family adored, and saved myself for him and my marriage. I recently had a miscarriage. I work in a neonatal intensive care setting and see young girls having babies each day that they can't care for. I was able to thank God for placing our baby in our lives for 3 months. I was also able to thank God for taking our baby. God has awesome plans for my husband and I. I now long to worship & talk to God continuously throughout my day. My future is in his hands."

"I have been a bitter, prideful, selfish mother. I have been unwilling to allow my husband to lead our family. I was afraid he would make the wrong decisions, and he doesn't seem to be saved. God told me to do what he asks of me and he would handle my husband. I just need to trust Him and just sit at His feet."

"I have been working very hard with many church responsibilities which have left me tired, weary, and dry. I knew I was failing in the most important areas as a wife, mother and teacher of my children. Still, I wanted to run from these most important activities. God told me He would give me the power. I can't do it on my own. The kudos from others don't satisfy. Only God can satisfy."

On the road again...

After four days in Pensacola (looking at a school for Margo), we are back on the road headed to Sylvester, Georgia, where we will begin an 8-day conference with Tom and Maria Nesbitt on the 14th of March. Ryan will be flying out tomorrow to Austin, Texas, for Life Action's Vision Gathering, and the children and I (Mal) will spend the week in Sylvester. The team will be arriving Friday and Ryan will return on Saturday. Thank you, Lord, for two restful days!!

Dothan, Alabama....

We have had a wonderful conference at Ridgecrest Baptist here in Dothan. This conference was broadcast over the internet via live-stream and you can view the messages on the home page at http://www.lifeaction.org/. We'd love to hear your feedback through the COMMENTS tab. Please pray for our family as we take a much needed spring break. We will be arriving in Sylvester, GA next week to begin our next 8-day conference on March 14 at First Baptist Church. Blessings to you all!! I (Mal) will be posting testimonies from Dothan next week.

Dothan, Alabama....

We are in Dothan, Alabama at Ridgecrest Baptist Church. Our THIRST conference this week can be viewed on our Life Action website via Live-Stream. Simply go to www.lifeaction.org and you'll see it on the home page.

Columbus, Mississippi

young woman -

"I have been in a bitter, angry mode of life. My heart has been hardened towards people. The "horizontal beam" of my cross-centered life was out of balance. The quote, "Don't underestimate your ability to hurt someone" really spoke to me. When Ryan taught on having a clear conscience, I knew there was a friend of mine that I just had to talk to. This morning, I got up and sent an e-mail to her asking her for forgiveness. I have been relieved about it all day!!! A peace has come over my soul, and I am so blessed by it!!!"

young wife -

"I have been hurt, in a broken marriage, dealing with the anger and pain of an unfaithful spouse. I came asking God to break my husband and lead him to repentance, but realized that I need to be broken myself. I have been able to let go of the hurt and pain, even though I had already forgiven him and overcome the hurt. I now understand that he has his own appointment with God. I can't change him. I must love him. I have been able to see areas I needed to ask forgiveness for, and I have asked for that forgiveness. God has begun to heal my heart."

young mother -

"Unforgiveness, bitterness, and having a clear conscience are areas that I have refused to address in my life, but in these past four days, the Lord has given me the courage to obey Him and deal with things that happened a long time ago. What a blessing to feel God's forgiveness and strength."

young mother -

"The Lord has shown me this week that I have put my children first, before the Lord and my husband. I made mistakes and I have been so prideful. My role as a mother had taken precedence over my role as a wife and daughter of the King, my King Jesus. This is not only wrong, but it is a disservice to my children!! They need a mother who is intimate with Christ. Thank you for being bold enough to be honest and challenge me in my walk."

father -

"I have been trying to live a "good" Christian life, yet I was lacking in so many things, especially in having a consistent prayer life. I always have an excuse. I know the Lord has begun a work in me to bring about the change that is needed."

young man -

"I have been challenged this week to confess my pride, which manifested itself in me trying to do ministry in my own strength. I am committed to abandon the idol of my selfish pride and to seek the strength of my Saviour, Jesus Christ."

young wife -

"I have been an absent Christian. I had stopped praying, stopped reading my Bible, and quit going to church. I am in the process of a divorce, so I had started drinking due to depression and emptiness from the hurt and anger toward my husband. I had a very heavy conscience and have been carrying a ton of baggage!! This revival has been just that - a revival!! It was what I needed to renew my faith, and being closer to my God. I have been praying, reading the Word and listening to what the Holy Spirit is saying to me. He has begun a good work in me, and He will be faithful to complete it."

wife -

"My husband and I have experienced some hurt in our marriage. I needed to hear the sermon on forgiveness. God has helped me to let go of the hurt and bitterness. I have realized that I must seek forgiveness as well. Human nature tends to only recognize my hurt and sorrow. With God's help, our marriage is and will only get better."

mother of 4 young children -

"I have felt dry and used up. My life is so consumed and busy as I am the mother of four young children. Over the past few days, I've realized that I shouldn't feel like I don't have time for a ministry. My life is my ministry!!! My life in front of my husband and my children!! They need to see me worship the Lord. They need to hear me adore my Saviour. They need to feel me touch them while praying for them. This revival has truly been a time of refreshing and reminding me of who God is and how completely worthy He is of all my praise!!!

Leesburg THIRST conference

Our THIRST conference here in Leesburg, Florida ended last night with a prevailing spirit in which there was an acknowledgement of corporate and individual need expressed to God, as the entire body flooded the altar and cried out for His grace. One senior saint stated that it had been nearly two decades since the church responded in a corporate manner as it did last night and what a beautiful picture it was!!

First Baptist Church, Leesburg, Florida

THESE ARE INCREDIBLE TESTIMONIES OF HOW GOD HAS BEEN WORKING IN THE HEARTS OF HIS PEOPLE HERE AT FIRST BAPTIST, LEESBURG. IF YOU ARE PART OF OUR SUPPORT TEAM, YOU ARE READING THE RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HELPING US AS WE TRAVEL THIS NATION SHARING GOD'S HEART FOR THE CHURCH.... WE LOVE YOU!!

"I struggle with a drug addiction that has nearly claimed my life several times. Today, I have been clean for over 6 months, but I still struggle with the wreckage from my past and the deep rooted battle with sin in my life. The Lord, through the Life Action team, and by His power and grace, has awakened me to the hope and knowledge that I can serve our Lord Jesus Christ in a mighty way despite where my addiction has taken me. I have been convicted of the hate and selfishness in my heart, and the team inspired me to give all of myself to the Lord. I am now praying diligently for God to give me guidance and show me how I may be of service and further the message of the gospel to those who are currently where I once was. God has begun to work on my heart and break the pattern of me seeking to satisfy my selfish and sinful desires, and my wholeness is found in Jesus Christ."

"Before this conference, God found me lacking in joy. There were many things I was continuing to put before Him that hindered my dependence on Him. I truly wanted more intimacy with Him and I have been brought to His throne in a new and refreshing way, trusting Him for all provisions and realizing I was not giving my husband the place of respect I should."

"I have been bitter and angry with my husband. We are both believers, but we are struggling big time. These nights "and the ladies luncheon have reminded me of the steps I need to take. The words and notes are invaluable to my quiet times. I must go slowly through the list of things I need forgiven of. My husband doesn't treat me right, but I have been wrong. God held me accountable for me. Thank you for laying a path out for me to follow. Today for the first time in a long time, I sense a mustard seed sized bit of hope in my heart."

"Following Sunday, I was convicted about how I had allowed my mornings to become more involved with the world than with God. The next morning, I refused to check e-mail, voice mail, or even watch the news. I filled my morning with prayer, meditation, and eating breakfast. I was missing my time with God!! That has changed!! Folliwing the 2nd day of the conference, I used the message handout to read through the Scriptures. I discovered so many sins in my life. Hours of Scripture, reflection, and prayer now fill my mornings. I know this is something I really needed. I soon expect to have a church to pastor. I will never forget this revival time. Thank you."

"Thank you for getting my attention!! I have been saved for nearly 20 years. I go to church regularly and tithe. However, I'm far from where I know God wants me to be. In regards to my time, talents, and treasures, there is so much more I can and need to do for the kingdom of God. I think I'm beginning to get it finally thanks to four straight days with the team. Thank you, Lord, for waking me up and refreshing me."

"The most important thing God has revealed to me this week is in the area of forgiveness. I have been married for two years, but the whole first year, we were separated. The enemy led me to believe there was someone better for me. I was committing adultery and wasn't even thinking twice. God has brought me home and He has set me free from my sinful nature. I know that I am forgiven and my husband and I are working on our marriage with Christ in the center. He deserves all the glory because only He can fix a broken soul."

"God has spoken to me about resolving the issued between my father and myself. He (God) has told me to write a letter to my father several times and express my feelings, but I have been stubborn. I would write the letter, but always failed to put it in the mail. Well, that has all changed today. I wrote the letter, but not as harshly as the past ones. I asked him for forgiveness and told him I forgave him. I have every intention of putting it in the mail first thing tomorrow. Maybe, I need to write it several times to get it just right. Thank you, God, for everything you have done for me and everything you will do."

Wayside Baptist Church, Miami, FL

Well, we are pulling out of Wayside Baptist Church in Miami, Florida, heading to New Port Richey, Florida, where we will begin our next conference this Sunday, Jan. 17th. We have had a great 4-day conference here at Wayside with many individuals responding to the Lord in obedience to the lover of their soul, Jesus Christ. Night after night, they have come with hearts prepared to learn and grow in their intimacy with the Lord. The cultural diversity here in Miami is refreshing as there are many, many people groups represented in this city. Our ladies luncheon was full with 150 women attending, and many women have made a fresh commitment to being true women of God in respecting and honoring their husbands, teaching the Word of God to their children, loving those that are hard to love and digging deeper into God's Word. We depart with grateful hearts for all the Lord has done, and we will be posting some pictures and testimonies very soon. We love you all and thank you for your love and care for our family.

TESTIMONIES FROM WALLER, TEXAS

"My wife and I were sharing a house, one in one room and one in the other room. We both love our 2 kids (ages 16 and 12), and we show it. It was not until this conference that we came together on the "same page" in our walk. We needed to see and hear God's Word to break us both. Now, we are more like we were when we first were married. Forgiveness, God's grace, and letting go of pride made the change."

"I had made Lilly Faye (my wife) my "second ministry" after my church family. However, God has reminded me during the summit that she is my "priority" ministry. I have known in my mind that, after God, noone is more important than Lilly Faye. However, I have been insensitive to that and put her second to the church. I know that God's grace will give me the desire and the power to focus first on serving, loving, leading, and providing for my wife. I'm also convinced that I will be a better pastor to the church!!!" pastor

"I am in a broken marriage. God showed me my lack of respect for my husband, and that I am not submissive to him and I've not loved him as I should. God has revealed to me what I need to do to fix my marriage. The teachings on how a wife should treat her husband opened my eyes and gave me tools through Scripture to learn to love, respect, and honor my husband. My husband and I have talked and are working through the process of clearing our consciences and we have begun to heal."

"I have been living a life that is not honoring to the Lord. I was going through the motions, but not allowing God to be intimate with me. God has really dealt with me in the area of having a clear conscience. I obeyed the Lord's prompting and told my husband what I had kept from him for 12 years. Then he told me of two affairs he had and I found myself lost once again. But God has so graciously given me a love and forgiveness for my husband. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I am praising and thanking God for loving me so much that He won't allow me to remain where I was in my walk with Him."

"I was holding back a past sin. Through the moving of the Holy Spirit, and the obedience of my wife (above), in what she confessed, I confessed a hidden sin in my life and cleared my conscience. Damage was done and it will take time to heal the wounds, but with direct counsel and love from the Life Action team, I have already seen growth in my marriage. We shared our first personal Bible study together and it was great!!!! Please keep praying for us."

"Before this summit, I was prideful, disobedient, and numb. I was not submissive to my husband or to God. God showed me this week how I have neglected my husband. I have never seen or heard the Biblical role of the wife until this week. It has made me realize why our marriage is strained. It made me realize why my relationship to God is strained." Becky

"I have been too busy. I let my job as an Assistant Principal at a school be an idol and steal all my time, strength, and energy. I come home with very little left to just make it through the day, and I spend little precious time with my family before crashing into bed, only to get up and do it all over again. I haven't been reading the Bible and I don't pray enough. I've had Jesus, the lover of my soul, on the back burner instead of spending time in His Word. My husband and I haven't been studying the Word together or praying together. This week, we've make a commitment to resume that time together and leave a legacy of our prayer journals someday with our children."

"I have been a lukewarm believer that had come close to ending his marriage. With God's Word and conviction from the Holy Spirit, my wife and I have been closer than ever and have ignited a fire to serve the Lord more with our time and talents. All to the glory of His name!!!"

Prior to this summit, I was discontent, complaining, and feeling sorry for myself. I lost my husband in 2003 to cancer, and a daughter in 2005 to an auto accident. Because of this, I lost my joy. God convicted me this week that I need to be grateful for the wonderful marriage I had for 30 years and for the 37 years I had my beautiful daughter. I want to develop a spirit of thankfulness for where I am now. I will be able to work for God more fully since I am alone and God is my husband and provider. In all things, let me give thanks to the Lord."