In Memory of Susan Denise Atkins-Whitehouse
Susan Attained
In Susan's works
The Dove's Nest Newsletters A Collection of Christian Newsletters
by Susan Atkins-Whitehouse,
Susan's 21st Christian newsletter is dated September, 1998.
Susan leads into her letter with Psalm 103:1-3.
Susan then begins her letter;
"I don't know about you, but as for me, there isn't a day
that goes by that I'm not reminded in some very tangible
and visible way, that God has redeemed my life,
granted me the awesome benefits of His lovingkindness,
and that His tender mercy is fresh every day.
As I look around me and watch those with whom I live
struggle to get their lives together,
to cope with their incarceration
for some, their release from prison for others,
dealing with the loss of their freedom for quite possibly
the rest of their lives, my heart longs to share with them
the good news that God isn't mad at them.
He loves them and wants to walk with them daily.
In Susan's works
The Dove's Nest Newsletters A Collection of Christian Newsletters
by Susan Atkins-Whitehouse,
Susan's 21st Christian newsletter is dated September, 1998.
Susan leads into her letter with Psalm 103:1-3.
Susan then begins her letter;
"I don't know about you, but as for me, there isn't a day
that goes by that I'm not reminded in some very tangible
and visible way, that God has redeemed my life,
granted me the awesome benefits of His lovingkindness,
and that His tender mercy is fresh every day.
As I look around me and watch those with whom I live
struggle to get their lives together,
to cope with their incarceration
for some, their release from prison for others,
dealing with the loss of their freedom for quite possibly
the rest of their lives, my heart longs to share with them
the good news that God isn't mad at them.
He loves them and wants to walk with them daily.
Some have hearts that are open and are willing to not only hear about
all of the benefits of God, but will repent and receive Jesus.
Others aren't so open to hearing words, a sermon, or even a
mere suggestion that perhaps there is a better way to live their life.
Thus, the Lord grants to those who would want it,
the Spirit of Wisdom to know how to live your life in such a way
that others, who need Jesus, but refuse to accept Him,
will recognize that you have something they not only need,
but will grow to hunger and thirst after.
Without the Spirit of Wisdom in my life,
I'm quite sure I'd not have survived as a person in prison,
let alone as a Christian,
or have been able to walk through the fiery trials that life in this world
hold for the children of God, whether free or incarcerated"
all of the benefits of God, but will repent and receive Jesus.
Others aren't so open to hearing words, a sermon, or even a
mere suggestion that perhaps there is a better way to live their life.
Thus, the Lord grants to those who would want it,
the Spirit of Wisdom to know how to live your life in such a way
that others, who need Jesus, but refuse to accept Him,
will recognize that you have something they not only need,
but will grow to hunger and thirst after.
Without the Spirit of Wisdom in my life,
I'm quite sure I'd not have survived as a person in prison,
let alone as a Christian,
or have been able to walk through the fiery trials that life in this world
hold for the children of God, whether free or incarcerated"
After quoting Proverbs 4:7, James 3:17, and James 1:5,
Susan continues;
"I believe that wisdom, God-given wisdom,
is one of the benefits of walking with Jesus.
Because the Word of God mandates
that we redeem the time we have
on this earth, we are responsible and will give an answer
to our Heavenly Father for how we spent the time we have been given to live.
Personally, I don't think my purpose on this earth
is simply to live my life my way, for myself"
This is apparent to those who hear Susan.
"The Word of God tells me that it is God's will that
all men should be saved. The Bible is very clear about that..."
"...I need the WISDOM God gives to be able to reach
the people around me with that message"
We believe Susan attained what she required.
It's evident in Susan's work.
Susan continues;
"I believe that wisdom, God-given wisdom,
is one of the benefits of walking with Jesus.
Because the Word of God mandates
that we redeem the time we have
on this earth, we are responsible and will give an answer
to our Heavenly Father for how we spent the time we have been given to live.
Personally, I don't think my purpose on this earth
is simply to live my life my way, for myself"
This is apparent to those who hear Susan.
"The Word of God tells me that it is God's will that
all men should be saved. The Bible is very clear about that..."
"...I need the WISDOM God gives to be able to reach
the people around me with that message"
We believe Susan attained what she required.
It's evident in Susan's work.
Susan continues;
"Sometimes wisdom mandates that no words be spoken,
no verbal witness given, but rather that I spend time in prayer for someone
who desperately needs Jesus and His benefits.
Because I don't know the inner workings
of the hearts of people, what their genuine
heartfelt needs are, I need wisdom
to know HOW to pray for them.
If someone approaches me and is obviously angry
about something, or frustrated, or in tears (that happens a lot in here),
I need the wisdom God gives to be able to respond appropriately.
There are no accidental encounters in a Christian's life.
Every person that a Christian encounters,
no matter where they are,
is there by Divine appointment.
Christians are the salt of the earth.
We are called of God to encourage, uplift, strengthen,
and edify, not only the brethren, but those who are hungry,
thirsty, naked, sick, lost, and in need of Jesus.
"Sometimes wisdom mandates that no words be spoken,
no verbal witness given, but rather that I spend time in prayer for someone
who desperately needs Jesus and His benefits.
Because I don't know the inner workings
of the hearts of people, what their genuine
heartfelt needs are, I need wisdom
to know HOW to pray for them.
If someone approaches me and is obviously angry
about something, or frustrated, or in tears (that happens a lot in here),
I need the wisdom God gives to be able to respond appropriately.
There are no accidental encounters in a Christian's life.
Every person that a Christian encounters,
no matter where they are,
is there by Divine appointment.
Christians are the salt of the earth.
We are called of God to encourage, uplift, strengthen,
and edify, not only the brethren, but those who are hungry,
thirsty, naked, sick, lost, and in need of Jesus.
I may not ever know how my walk with Jesus
affects the woman who happens to find herself in the upper bunk
above my head, or across the hall from me.
I do know, however, that without the wisdom of God,
my confidence in His lovingkindness and tender mercy toward me
every day, I would be less likely to be effective in, at the very least,
showing her that I have a Savior who is more than enough to meet
my every need in this life, and that His Peace keeps me in the midst
of my present circumstances.
Every now and then I will receive a letter from someone that
I did time with here. Recently I received such a letter from a woman
I met back in 1980. Since she left prison
she has struggled through her life.
She met Jesus in here, walked with Him,
and for the short time she was here we had a fellowship.
She wrote, 'You just don't know how your spirit
nourished my spirit and founded me strongly
as a re-born Christian.'
Sometimes our Heavenly Father will grace us with the knowledge that
our obedience to Him, our love for Him, and our willingness
to walk with Him in this life will be one of HIS benefits
to someone we happen to meet.
I want to encourage you today to seek WISDOM,
God's wisdom.
It is priceless..."
affects the woman who happens to find herself in the upper bunk
above my head, or across the hall from me.
I do know, however, that without the wisdom of God,
my confidence in His lovingkindness and tender mercy toward me
every day, I would be less likely to be effective in, at the very least,
showing her that I have a Savior who is more than enough to meet
my every need in this life, and that His Peace keeps me in the midst
of my present circumstances.
Every now and then I will receive a letter from someone that
I did time with here. Recently I received such a letter from a woman
I met back in 1980. Since she left prison
she has struggled through her life.
She met Jesus in here, walked with Him,
and for the short time she was here we had a fellowship.
She wrote, 'You just don't know how your spirit
nourished my spirit and founded me strongly
as a re-born Christian.'
Sometimes our Heavenly Father will grace us with the knowledge that
our obedience to Him, our love for Him, and our willingness
to walk with Him in this life will be one of HIS benefits
to someone we happen to meet.
I want to encourage you today to seek WISDOM,
God's wisdom.
It is priceless..."
Susan continued on in her letter to it's end.
We thank Susan for sharing her letter with us.
(All quotes are from
The Dove's Nest Newsletters A Collection of Christian Newsletters
by Susan Atkins-Whitehouse)
home
We thank Susan for sharing her letter with us.
(All quotes are from
The Dove's Nest Newsletters A Collection of Christian Newsletters
by Susan Atkins-Whitehouse)
home
