Thursday, April 30, 2009

God cares about Teeth

“Patricia, open up a little wider,” the hygienist instructed as she cleaned my teeth. I found myself dozing while she was trying to do her job. My eyes nor my mouth wanted to stay open for very long.

Sandra and I left early this morning for our dental appointments in Renton. We traveled 40 miles to the dentist we have seen for over 25 years. It’s worth the drive to be attended by such a kind and gentle man as Dr. Randolph Lake.

Dr. Lake has a heart of gold. I’ll never forget how he went out of his way to help us when Danielle came to live with me. She had not been to a dentist in several years and we didn’t have any insurance for her. I wanted to make sure her teeth were clean and in good order before she headed to college. Dr. Lake and his assistants cleaned, took x-rays, repaired a couple of fillings and then informed us that all four of Danielle’s wisdom teeth needed to be surgically removed.

Danielle and I prayed that God would help us get the surgery done without going into debt. Dr. Lake made arrangements for us with one of his friends and we went for an interview. After the exam, the doctor took us to the office assistant to sign papers and discuss the bill.

When the assistant laid the itemized bill before us, I lost my breath and almost fainted. The total was $1,875.00. I sent a quick, silent “help, Lord” up to my heavenly Father. The assistant turned the bill over and said this will be your total. She pointed to a line that said, “Patient’s responsibility”. In that space was a nice round “0”. I looked at the assistant and asked, “What does that mean?” She said, “That means Dr. D is not charging you for the surgery.” I responded, “Which of these items do we pay?” She looked at me and smiled and said, “Your bill is completely covered. You won’t owe anything at all.”

Danielle and I looked at each other. She started giggling uncontrollably and I broke down in tears that just wouldn’t stop. We hugged each other quietly saying, “Thank you, Jesus, thank you, Jesus. Then I turned and thanked the assistant. She said, “I’m not the one to thank. There is a person that really cares about both of you very much and went to bat for you.”

Danielle and I worshipped and thanked the Lord the whole trip home. The Scripture that came to mind was Ephesians 3:20, 21 “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Sandra and I reminisced stories of God’s provision all the way home from the dental office. The miles passed quickly and our hearts were encouraged and filled with gratefulness. I was now wide awake and ready for my day.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Danielle's College Provisions

Today I have been praying for my granddaughter, Danielle, and her husband, Darren. They are finishing up their junior year at Southwestern University of the Assemblies of God in Texas. This week is finals and that means late nights of studying and God's help in remembering all they studied.

I'm very proud of these young people. They both have jobs, carry a full load of studies and have made excellent grades. I could hear the tiredness in Danielle's voice when I talked to her last night. "Oma, please pray that my immune system will hold up under this stress and I won't get sick," she pleaded. They are looking forward to May 2nd when their little Dodge Pickup will begin the long trip across the states, bringing them back home to their families.

Danielle lived with me her senior year of high school and it became a "fantastic adventure in trusting Him". (my acronym for FAITH) My income didn't go far enough for all the needs so Danielle and I learned to ask God, wait and trust, and stand in amazement at the variety of ways God met the needs.

I recall Easter weekend of 2006. Danielle really needed something nice to wear to Easter services. I asked the Lord to help me find her a nice blazer within my income. I saw a picture of one in the Penny's ad for $29.95. On Saturday we worked at the Easter eggstravaganza in the morning and then headed to Penny's in the afternoon. We stood by the car and prayed that God would help us find just what we needed. "Lord, it would be amazing if we could get a green blazer but we'll be happy with what you give us," I concluded the prayer. Green was Danielle and Darren's favorite color.

Within minutes we had found the cutest green blazer for only $19.99 and were able to also get a beige one for $9.99. They both had the price of $86.00 on the tags. Danielle and I jumped up and down and praised the Lord right in the middle of the clothes racks. We testified to the sales clerk of God's provision in our lives.

When we arrived home I told Danielle that we needed to put a request in our prayer book for some new clothes for college. She said, "Oma, don't worry about it. I'll be fine with what I have." Her humble spirit brought tears to my eyes because her clothes were really well worn. I wrote the request anyway and on Sunday, June 25th, one of our young Pastor's wives asked us if we would be offended if she gave Danielle some clothes she could no longer wear. We loaded the trunk of my car with shopping bags full of clothes.

After lunch Danielle began a fashion show, modeling the shirts, jeans, dress pants, skirts, blazers, etc that just fit her perfectly. They were the latest style, expensive clothes, just like new. Some of them still had the price tags on them. We did our usual "praise the Lord dance" in gratefulness for God's answer to prayer. A few weeks later, another young lady from the church gave Danielle some slightly used clothes and she left for college with everything she needed, even the terry bathrobe on her college list.

Danielle was asked to give a testimony during our Palm Sunday Musical. She said, "I have a friend that doesn't believe there is a God. I tell him that no one could ever convince me that there isn't a God because I have experienced Him personally."

God wants all of us to put our trust in Him and to experience Him personally. I love Paul's prayer iin Ephesians 3:17-19 "And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love? And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God." (NLT)

Monday, April 27, 2009

Clayton's Car

I opened up the text message from my 16 year old grandson. "Oma, please pray that I'll get my car back," it read. The flood of tears I had been holding back gushed out as I sent another plea for help to my heavenly Father.

Clayton had a big shock when he headed out to go to his before school Jazz Band practice. There was an empty spot in the driveway where his car should have been sitting. His little '93 Honda had been stolen.

Clayton loved his little sporty sedan, not especially because of its good looks, but because it was a gift. A friend moving to Japan had given him the car but Clayton knew it was ultimately a gift from God.

The policeman made a report but he told Clayton's family that it is rare to get a car back. Clayton knew that "nothing is impossible with God" (Luke 1:37) so he and his mother sent text messages to many friends and family asking them to pray.

Clayton was sad but he told his mom he wanted to have the right attitude even during the hard times of his life.

After school Clayton headed to a Christian concert with friends as previously planned. About 6:00 p.m. Valerie received a call that the car had been found and was sitting at Pierce College in Puyallup. I met them there and to our relief the car was in good shape except for the dash where they had taken his CD system. The police said the thief had left Clayton's car and taken a professor's Honda from the parking lot.

Jim and Valerie had just retired for the night when they heard Clayton coming through the house. "Praise you, God! Praise you, God! I have my car back! I have my car back!" he was shouting to the top of his voice. Valerie didn't let him know they had found the car so he came home to find it sitting in the driveway. He was giving God all the praise from the bottom of his heart.

The Bible tells us that we will have trials. I Peter 1:7a says "These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure." Its hard for a grandma to watch her grandchildren go through hard times but I know it is necessary to experience the last part of I Peter 1:7 "So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." (NLB)

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Dalton's Sermon

Today is the Fine Arts Festival for the Northwest District of the Assemblies of God. Fine Arts is a national program where junior and senior high students demonstrate their talents before three judges. If they get a Superior rating with invitation they are invited to go to the National competition.

Last night we had a Fine Arts Premier for the youth of our church. It was a chance for the young people to practice for an audience before the big day. I was blown away by the human videos, musical numbers and sermons these young adults presented. I was very proud of all of them and grateful to our youth pastors for the way they have supported and helped our young people build on their God given gifts.

My 14 yr. old grandson, Dalton, gave a sermon he wrote himself. This was his first time of participating and I have to admit I wasn't prepared for the depth of his comments and use of Scripture. He really did a great job. Today I was anxiously waiting to hear how he did at the festival. We finally received a text from the youth Pastor that said, "Dalton rocked, standing ovation."

A few minutes ago Valerie called and said Dalton just found out he received a Superior with invitation rating and is invited to go to the National competition. That is unusual for a first time, junior high age student. We are "busting our buttons" in gratefulness for this young man that received a call on his life to ministry this past summer at camp. It has completely turned his life around and given him new priorities.

When Dalton was young, he was very stubborn and difficult to handle. It took much discipline and patience to get him passed having to have his own way. His stubbornness has turned into a good quality in his teen years. He loves God and has made a commitment to witness to his friends and invite them to church although it is not always received in kindness.

Recently a young man at school came up to Dalton and purposely poured Taco Sauce over Dalton's white shorts. This wasn't the first time meanness has come from a fellow student. Of course Dalton is not the only one who has been the recipient of cruel actions at school but it hurts his family to see him being mistreated.

Valerie recently asked Dalton if he would prefer to be home schooled next year. He responded,"I would love to do my work at home but I have too many friends at school that could die without Jesus."

Dalton has taken seriously I John 3:18. "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."

Friday, April 24, 2009

Meghan's Bible Club

I just arrived home from Cutter's Point Coffee Shop where my granddaughter, Meghan, meets every Friday after school for a Bible Study with her girlfriends. Meghan is 13 and in the 7th grade.

Shortly after Meghan started Junior High, she confided in me that she wanted to have a group of girls that she could bond with thoughout her Junior and Senior High years. She wanted to have a weekly Bible time, share each other's needs, and give each other support and accountability. I told her I would help any way I could. She made up some cute invitations and passed them out at school. Within two weeks, a time and place was established and her desire became a reality.

Right now the girls do a very simple study. They use the SOAP method. They read a passage of Scripture, observe what the Scripture is saying and then make an application to their own lives and end with a Prayer time. Each of the girls have a Teen Girls Daily Devotional Book that they commit to reading.

I sit on the sideline and do my own reading while they do their study. When they have a Scripture or word they don't understand I help out but otherwise they do it on their own. Often I find myself silently praying for each of the girls as I sit and wait. These girls are our leaders of tomorrow.

The Word says, "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth." (Ecclesiastes 12:1)
Walking with God in their youth allows the Lord to shape and prepare these girls to meet life's challenges and opportunities with wisdom. It will definitely pay off when they are older. I will always be grateful that I found Christ at a young age.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

The Empty Wood Shed, part 2

Can you believe it is 38 degrees today? When it is chilly outside, I feel even more thankful for my wood stove that keeps my home toasty warm. As I was having my quiet time in front of the fire this morning, I was reminded that I haven't shared with you the answer to my prayer for wood.

On March 19th I confided that my wood shed was empty and I had written a request in my prayer book for more wood. That very same day a man and his wife from our church came over to my house. He said he wanted to check on my wood supply. After looking in the shed and measuring the size of my stove, he said he thought he had a resourse for some wood and would let me know.

I made a copy of the blog I had just written that morning and gave it to him to read. We both sat in awe at how quickly God answers prayer. Two days later he showed up with a trailer load of wood and placed it in the wood shed for me. He told me this load of wood was going to spoil me and he sure was correct. The pieces are the perfect size for me to handle and they burn so nicely.

I never cease to be amazed at the goodness of the Lord and the kindness of people. I am overwhelmed with gratefulness to God's servants who feel His gentle nudge and then respond to the need.

Philippians 4:19 says, "My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." I love the word "all" and I stand on that promise. He has never failed me yet.