God Answers Prayer

God answers prayer

Some prayers were spoken in terms of simple desires.  "Lord, it would be nice to go to the Philippines to see the work of MEBSI and participate in that ministry."  We thought the door for us might be closed there, so it was more of a spoken desire than an actual request.  Yet God heard us and answered.

Some prayers barely left our lips before we saw the answers.  When we arrived at the airport, we discovered that our plane was delayed and we would miss our connection.  "Lord," we prayed quietly, "please help us."  A very helpful airline agent found another flight for us.  We got our tickets and then waited in an extremely slow security line.  Once again our prayer was, "Lord, please get us there in time."  We passed through security and ran for the gate, arriving just in time to board.  "Thank you, Lord," we breathed as we walked on.

We prayed that we might be a blessing along the way.  On the very long flight across the Pacific, Charlie sat next to a man who was on his way to reunite with his wife.  Charlie had the opportunity to talk with him about his faith and explain the gospel to him.

Joan teaching.

We prayed that we might be effective in our teaching.  We knew that our students had learned English as a second (or even third) language and there could be a significant language barrier.  For the most part, the students were responsive and enthusiastic about what they were learning.  We have been invited back again, and this time the students and faculty want us to spend some time observing their ministries after the classes are over.  That was another answer to prayer.

After classes and graduation were over, we headed to Manila where we were supposed to bard a bus to Baguio, a popular tourist town up in the mountains where many Filipinos escape the summer heat.  We headed to the bus station but were told they were all full.  "Lord, direct our steps," we prayed, when we saw that our plans were not working.  Within a few hours we received a call from Pastor Livioco who told us he had managed to get us seats on the overnight bus, and we were once again on our way.

Charlie preaching on Easter Sunday.

"Lord, let us be a blessing to Foundation Baptist Church," we prayed.  Charlie participated in a Q&A time and I shared part of my testimony in family camp.  Then on Sunday, Charlie preached in the morning service.  A number of people openly responded to his message.

There were also unexpected blessings.  First there was the blessing of music.  I taught the college students a new song to go along with the VBS curriculum.  When they got to the chorus, they broke out into four-part harmony.  What a surprise and pleasure that was.  Then on Easter Sunday, the church amazed us with their mini-cantata.  Their music ministered deeply to our souls.

Charlie's class - the MEBSI faculty.

Then there was the blessing to getting to know some of God's people in the Philippines.  Our hearts were bound to the Namocs and Liviocos and to others working with them.  We began to understand the unique role each of them has in God's work, and we really appreciate what God is doing in and through them there.

God answers prayers - all kinds of prayers.  We are grateful for the many prayers God's people prayed on our behalf because we know He answered those as well.

Thank you, God, for answering  prayer.

Too Wise to Be Mistaken and Too Good to Be Unkind

Years ago a dear friend gave me a copy of Gadsby's Hymns.  Since it was #7 in this book, it did not take me long to find this hymn by Samuel Medley.  Medley was led to saving faith in Jesus Christ when his grandfather read him a sermon by Isaac Watts.  After that, his life was radically changed and he became a prolific songwriter, writing over 200 hymns.  Unfortunately, most of them are no longer being sung in our churches even though many contain doctrine we would want to sing.  More modern songs and hymns have replaced them.

Although I do not know the tune it was sung to then, I find myself singing it to "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee."

    1   God shall alone the refuge be,

            And comfort of my mind;

        Too wise to be mistaken, He,

            Too good to be unkind.

    2    In all his holy, sovereign will,

            He is, I daily find,

        Too wise to be mistaken, still

            Too good to be unkind.

    3    When I the tempter’s rage endure,

            ’Tis God supports my mind;

        Too wise to be mistaken, sure,

            Too good to be unkind.

    4    When sore afflictions on me lie,

            He is (though I am blind)

        Too wise to be mistaken, yea,

            Too good to be unkind.

    5    What though I can’t his goings see,

            Nor all his footsteps find?

        Too wise to be mistaken, He,

            Too good to be unkind.

    6    Hereafter he will make me know,

            And I shall surely find,

        He was too wise to err, and O,

            Too good to be unkind.

The Best Sounds of Christmas

I love Christmas, its tastes, sounds, sights, and touch.  I love the wonder and beauty that accompanies it.  But this year I kept coming back to the sounds that I loved this particular year.

Mail call. Almost every day, cards have arrived from people who remember us. Going through the notes from people, seeing their photos, and putting out the cards made Christmas special.

Children’s laughter.  My brother Joel, a missionary in Japan, is home on furlough this year with his two young children.  For the first time in a long time, the squeals and giggles of children were part of this year's celebration.  


Waves on the beach.  My brother Steven rented a house in Gulf Shores, Alabama, where our family spent Christmas week together.  I was often on the beach, especially at sunset, listening to the rhythm of the waves, the call of the seagulls, and the whisper of the wind. 


Christmas carols.  I have a fairly musical family.  One of the things we most enjoy when we gather is singing.  From "Silent Night" to "Joy to the World" rang out when we gathered together.  On Christmas Eve, with all my brothers and sisters and their spouses present, and some nieces and nephew too, we almost sounded like a choir.  Then, through the modern convenience of Skype, we were able to sing to (with?) my nephew in Cameroon on Christmas afternoon.  

Silence.  Perhaps the best sound was no sound at all, when I sat in wonder at the feet of Jesus, amazed once again by His supreme sacrifice in becoming one of His creatures - a helpless baby dependent upon a young mother to survive.  If that were all, it would be truly amazing.  But the rest of the story of His life, all the way to the cross, leaves me speechless.  Thank you, God!

Praise the Lord with Music and . . . ?

“Let everything that hath breath, praise the Lord.”  Ps. 150:6

One, two; one, two.  Left, right; left right.  The cadence of my feet echoes off the pavement as I run, and it provides a backdrop for my thoughts.  Soon those thoughts settle into well-known lyrics that match my running feet.  In the beginning, a sweet, simple song like “God is so good” gives me an easy pace to get started.  Then I drift into “Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In” or “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.”  As I start up a hill, “One Step at a Time” keeps me going when I’d rather stop and walk.  I rely on these songs to take my mind off the discomfort I’m feeling and keep me going. 

New flowers have come and gone all summer long.

Occasionally, there are days when I don’t need the discipline of a tune running through my head to keep me going.  On those days, I let my mind drift.  I pass a field of wild flowers.  Their scent and beauty takes me back to my wedding day when my nieces arranged all my bouquets of flowers.  I find myself praying for God's good gifts for them as I continue on.  I cross a bridge where a thirty-something father in denim overalls supervises his small son’s baiting the hook.  “Have you caught anything?” I ask as I pass.  “A few,” he calls back.  As I round the bend, I catch a glimpse of my husband, running ahead of me.  He loves to fish, but this summer he has gone without it because of limited finances.  My heart sends up a thank-you to my Heavenly Father for blessing me with a great man of God. 

I pass children playing and a woman cutting the grass on her riding lawn mower.  A teenager darts in front of me to cross the street to his mailbox.  A small, yappy dog defends her house as I run by.  I cross a bridge where still waters reflect the maple trees, and I remember that the Lord leads me beside still waters when I need it, and I praise Him for being a gentle Shepherd.  I pass the marshy edge of a lake where birds chirrup and the cattails quiver in the gentle breeze.  A gold finch, startled by my proximity, hops up and takes wing to a safe haven farther away.

As the sun begins its descent, the clouds catch its golden and red rays.  “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight” darts through my mind and then to Jesus’ words, “Ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?”  (Matt. 16:3).  I wonder, then, about the times we are in.  “Soon, and very soon, we are going to see the King” cycles through my mind and matches the rhythm  of my feet.  I mentally sing that while my breathing gets heavier as I crest another rise.  As I turn the corner toward home, I echo Paul’s prayer, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

The sky is dark enough now that the moon begins to show off its glory.  I think of the words I memorized as a child, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handiwork.”  With red and gold threads woven on the billowing clouds, and the moon preparing the sky for nighttime beauty, I marvel at God’s handiwork.  The sky and everything around me was created by God.  Not only was it created, but it was created so very well.

If King David had been with me today, would he have said, “Praise the Lord with music and running”?  I don’t know, but I do know that he said, “Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord.”  When I run, I am more aware than ever that I have breath, so I do.  Thank you, Lord, for the gift of running and the music that keeps me going.