Don't Be Afraid--I'm Here

As a sick little girl, I was afraid of the dark and of being alone. "Don't be afraid," Mama said. "I'm here." She gave me the comfort and security I needed to get through rhuematic fever and scarlet fever, allergies and heart trouble. Mama's home with Jesus now and I have kids and grandkids of my own.

Fear of failure or success and fear of having no value at all replaced my fear of the dark and being alone. That was until I found my personal worth in God, the Maker of Heaven and earth. My poor choices took me down a road of sin and destruction. Facing the next day seemed impossible and in my despair I wanted to give up. It was then that I felt the warmth of God's love and presence. Who was I that He would care for me? "Don't be afraid," I heard Him say. "I'm here."

Just when I think fear is no longer a part of my life, I see catastrophic storms in Australia on the news and hope that nothing like that comes to California.Then the news, thank them for their uncertain projections, says that the West Coast expects a storm that will change the way we live in California forever. When will this happen and what does all this mean? My thoughts go crazy!

Then I remember a horrific storm on the Sea of Galilee. Among Jesus' disciples were experienced fishermen who had been through storms on that lake many times. This one was different. Just when  Jesus' friends paniced, He showed up walking towards them on the water. "Don't be afraid," He said. "I'm here." (Matthew 14:22-36)

So if the predicted storm hits California, I will call on the name of the Lord, knowing He is always with me. I hope, my friend, that you will too.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for always being available to calm the storms of our lives. We love you and trust you to protect us and lead us in your way. Amen.

A Christmas Past

After working with my little Cherub Choir in Wiesbaden, Germany, I headed over to the nursery to pick up my son, Jason. The year was 1970 and he was two years old. It was dinner time for the kids when I showed up and I waited and waited and waited for the childcare helper to bring my little boy to me. Finally she said, "Mrs. Stratton, we can't find Jason." My heart sunk. "You are welcome to come in the facility and look in any of the hiding places you think he might crawl into. Pregnant with my daughter, I couldn't kneel very well. While I peeked around and called for Jason, thankfully, the helper called the Security Police. "He must have slipped out the door when we released the children to the dining area," the helper told the police.

It was dark outside and I began to panic. Others joined us with flashlights, searching the outside perimeters of the nursery. Cars zipped by and I worried about Jason's safety. It seemed like hours before someone asked, "Are you looking for a little guy this high with a gray, hooded sweatshirt?"

"Yes," I said. My heart leaped.

"My friend, Jennifer, saw him when she was going home from Girl Scouts and took him home with her. She was afraid he was lost."

"Where does she live?"

The kind little girl took me to her friend's house. I could hear Christmas music when we walked up the steps and knocked on the door. Jennifer opened the door to a beautifully decorated home--flickering lights on the tree and presents crowding the base of it. I was so glad to see my little boy, but shocked when he shouted,"I don't want to go home!"

Speechless, I wondered if the people thought I abused him or something. Fortunately he had no marks on him. Then I realized that Jason was caught up in the Christmas spirit. While I was teaching five to seven-year-olds the meaning of Christmas and some carols, Jason was having fun with his new friends. He was safe and I was thankful. After we shared a cup of hot chocolate with Jennifer's family, Jason took my hand and went home with me.

My wish for you this Christmas Eve is that you experience God's lavishing love on you. Merry Christmas.

My God is Bigger

Would you like to know how a dog thinks differently from a cat? If you pamper your dog, he will think you are god. If you pamper your cat, he will think he is god.

My puppy, Maggie, definitely thinks I am god. The day our neighbor captured this lovely picture of worship, Maggie was so glad she could go in the car with me. She brought joy to an otherwise stressful day. I had just left my husband, John, in the hospital after surgery to repair his broken ankle and Maggie and I were on our way to have dinner at my daughter Janell's house.

At the time of the picture, Maggie was four months old. She is ten months old now and has not lost any of her adoration for me. She follows me everywhere and depends on me for all her needs. Before I eat, she eats. When she sees me put on my walking shoes, she knows we're going for a walk and cannot hide her excitement. While walking, if we get to a busy intersection, she waits for me to pick her up to cross the street. When I read or watch a movie, she enjoys sleeping in my lap. And she sleeps by my bed at night. She gets up at 5:00 or 5:30 and if I don't get up with her, she cries until I do.

I hate to admit that sometimes I let Maggie down. There are times I long for a few more minutes of sleep and put her out by herself. On rainy days or days too packed with busyness, I don't put on my walking shoes. When I tell her good-bye, her eyes seem to ask, "Why aren't you taking me?" or "Why don't you stay home with me?" No matter how long I've been gone, she is always glad to see me. She twirls and jumps until I pick her up.

My God, the God who made Maggie and me and everything else in the world, knows my every need. He provides for me, protects me and is always with me. Even though I can't see Him, I know He is with me. He comforts, counsels and encourages me. Every morning I am amazed how He starts my day with more joy than the day before. I wish I could make Him as happy as He makes me. How wonderful it would be if I could bring Him as much joy as Maggie brings me.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you are a bigger and better God than I am to Maggie. Thank you for giving her to me. Thank you for my family and friends, for home and church and freedom to love and worship you. I pray for the person reading this blog, that he/she would experience your incredible, undstoppable love. Amen.

God Bless America

Suggested scripture reading: Matthew 19:16-30

Verse: If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 1 Chronicles 7:14

“The trouble with Americans” our pastor said, “is they have everything and that’s all.” Knowing God is key to the lives we live whether in America or somewhere else. God made us with deep longings, but He wanted to be our deepest longing. When He isn’t, so many things in this world clamor for our devotion.

A man came to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” Now this man had riches and grew up keeping the Ten Commandments. He always did what was right, yet something was missing. The emptiness inside him cried out. Like King Solomon, he concluded that everything was meaningless. So he came to Jesus, but he asked the wrong question. He wanted more to life and thought he could earn it.

“Go sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then come and follow Me,” Jesus said. The rich young man walked away sad, but imagine what would have happened if he did what Jesus said. His wealth stood between him and God. Without this barrier, he would learn to trust God with his life and gain eternal life. Isn’t that what he wanted?

Americans are like the rich young man. They have everything and that’s all. Like God’s people many times in history, they have lost their way. And like God’s people before us, we can humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and turn from our sinful ways. He will be faithful to heal our land as He has done so many times before.

Would you join me as many Americans are doing and pray for our country for 140 days. It started on July 4, 2010 with Charles Stanley and his In Touch ministry. Here is a link to register your intent to pray. https://www.intouchbookstore.org/du/(wdwsxi45kc0n42iq0yo4um55)/140Days2010.aspx

Thank you and God bless America.

God Has a Better Plan

Do we possess our possessions or do they possess us? Our society makes it easy to fall into the materialistic trap, but God has a better plan for us.

"Store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:20-21

A good test of our priorities is to consider what we think about most of the time. Do we think about money -- not having enough -- striving for more -- finding there is never enough? Do we worry about what we will eat or drink or wear? Or do we think about loving God and others? Do we consider how we can reach out to others in need?

God doesn't want us to worry about anything . He knows what we need before we ask Him. But asking is part of our relationship with Him, part of our dependence on Him.

Yesterday, during stressful national economic woe when the stock market took a record dive, I was encouraged by God. It was as if He said, "Do not be afraid, I am here." It was similar to what Jesus said to Peter and the others during the storm on the Sea of Galilee. The media said the stock market fell 800 points but when I saw the actual numbers of -777, I felt that God was right here with us. Did you? It was an awesome experience. He will never leave us or forsake us, even during seemingly economic failure in our country.

I am encouraged to pray as never before. Lord, walk through this challenge with us. Give wisdom and discernment to our leaders and help them come to the right decision for our country and our world. Most of all, Lord, I pray for revival in our land, that our people will wake up to their desperate need for you.

Will you join with me in praying for our country, our world, and the coming vote? It is more vital than we could ever imagine.

Pray for Jacob

Jacob came into my Sunday school class. It was the first time he had ever been in Sunday school. It didn’t take long for me to figure out that he came from a violent environment. He knew how to provoke the kids in my class to anger. Pretty soon all my helper and I could do was stop fights from breaking out.

Jacob aroused the natural instincts of retaliation in my Sunday school kids. Although Jesus died for bullying and anger, I had hoped that my class could show mercy to Jacob. Ironically that is what our lesson was about. But my class has not yet learned how to show mercy. They are kids.

I tried to talk to Jacob but he would not comply with anything I said. He was hateful and rebellious. He had bad language. He broke my heart when he finally said, “I just want to die.” Later I found out that he was diagnosed with depression. He’s only eight years old. His parents are going through divorce.

This was not the first time a problem child has come to my class and I began to think I needed extra skills for dealing with depressed kids. God gently reminded me that His grace is sufficient. Kids need to know His love. I thought it would take a miracle for Jacob to experience God’s love. God reminded me it took a miracle for me to experience His love. He reminded me of others in the Bible who were forgiven for things we call BIG sins; miracles upon miracles.

So I am praying for a miracle for Jacob and I am asking for your help. I realize you get many prayer requests, but on behalf of Jacob, thank you for remembering him. Please pray that he experiences God’s love soon and pray for his protection. If I see him or hear about him, I will let you know his progress.

Our God is Faithful

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 NIV

Has your cell phone ever embarrassed you in a large meeting? If not, you probably don’t have one. Since mine rarely rings, I don’t think about turning it off or on.

During the first session at a writer’s seminar I heard my cell phone and quickly pushed the “hang-up” button. It rang again and I saw that it was my husband, who never calls me! I knew something was wrong and I told him I would call him right back. When the session was over I called to find out my bank had called several times. As a previous victim of identity theft, a sick feeling came deep inside me. I gave John, my husband, my ATM card number and security information but he had no success and called again. By this time I was in my first workshop. I called the number John gave me but was disconnected and transferred from one department to another before I found out that my checking account was wiped out and overdrawn by hundreds of dollars. I was the victim of identity theft again! The compassionate customer service representative assured me that I would not have to pay for the loss, and that it would go to the retailer.

Fortunately I had already paid for the seminar registration, hotel room, transportation and books I wanted. However, the fiction workshops I attended overwhelmed me and I wanted to buy the CDs so I could listen to the lessons again during my commute to and from work. I was a little shocked to discover I could not use my credit card to purchase the CDs. The clerk said, “We can only take cash or check.” Tears welled up and I couldn’t speak at first. Then I remembered I still had some cash--$18, exactly enough to pay for the CDs and shipping.

Thank you, Father God, for your protection going to and coming from the seminar. Thank you for watching over my money, and thank you for helping me buy the resources I need to write the story you have put on my heart. You are awesome and I love you.